An opera actress performs at the Changyin Pavilion Opera House on Sept 19, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Aiming to protect cultural heritage and promote international exchanges and cooperation among ancient civilizations, the World’s Ancient Civilizations Protection Forum, themed “Echoes of the Past”, began at the Palace Museum on Sept 20, 2017.

Cultural and diplomatic officials, museum curators, archaeologists and historians from 21 countries, including Afghanistan, Bolivia, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Iran and Turkey, were joined by representatives from related international organizations, including the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) attended the forum. Four officials and experts from Poland, Greece, Iran and Peru made key speeches at the opening ceremony.

In the following two days, attendees will focus on several topics, including “the contemporary value of ancient heritage” and “archaeological observation of ancient civilizations and the Silk Road”. Discussions over closer global partnership, as well as exploration, exchange and the cooperation mode of ancient civilizations, will promote peaceful, cooperative and inclusive development with cultural confidence.

“The previous forum in 2016 witnessed the draft and issue of The Declaration of Supreme Harmony, or Taihe xuanyan. In answer to it, the Palace Museum will do its part to promote the full understanding and implementation of the declaration,” said Shan Jixiang, the director of the Palace Museum at the opening ceremony.