More than 200 government officials and experts from over 20 cities around the world are taking part in the World Cities Culture Forum Shanghai Symposium 2016, which began on Thursday.

The two-day symposium, held jointly by Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences and Shanghai Theatre Academy, aims to encourage participants to share their experiences in highlighting the role of culture in the development of their cities.

Topics to be covered include cultural reconstruction of city memories and the cultural identity of a city in the context of globalization.

Rong Yueming, director of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of Literature and secretary-general of the symposium, said that experts from all over the world share a common desire to encourage a new era of human civilization and cultural diversity.

"We hope all the participants are inspired by the conference and make further contributions to the advancement of city cultures," he said.

The World Cities Culture Forum, established in 2012, currently features 27 member cities and is regarded as a platform for discussing solutions to better city living.