The fourth Dialogue on the Exchange and Mutual Learning among Civilisations drew about 400 Chinese and foreign guests to Dunhuang, Gansu province. Former Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari said the Belt and Road Initiative has turned Nepal from a landlocked to a land-linked country. German sinologist Martin Woesler discussed how the Digital Silk Road and artificial intelligence are enabling cultural exchanges.

Several youth exchange programmes were presented at the event. The first International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations will be observed on June 10.

The Dunhuang dialogue underscores a growing trend: the Digital Silk Road and AI are empowering cultural heritage and boosting digital services trade for China and other Belt and Road countries. New Zealand small and medium-sized creative and technology firms should eye China's digital cultural tourism market. Weta Workshop, for instance, has already worked on co-productions using special effects technology.

However, businesses need to carefully assess geopolitical risks and avoid over-politicising cultural cooperation. Early movers in niche areas such as digital humans and immersive experiences could gain an edge in the next wave of cultural trade.

Keywords: Dunhuang, civilisational exchange, Belt and Road, Global Civilisation Initiative, Digital Silk Road, artificial intelligence, cultural heritage, youth exchange, International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations

第四届文明交流互鉴对话会在甘肃敦煌举行，约400名中外嘉宾参与。尼泊尔前总统班达里称赞共建“一带一路”倡议使尼泊尔从“陆锁国”变为“陆联国”；德国汉学家吴漠汀谈及数字丝绸之路与人工智能促进文明交流。会议期间，多个青年交流项目被分享。

首个文明对话国际日将于6月10日庆祝。

敦煌对话会凸显数字丝绸之路与AI赋能文化遗产趋势，对中国及沿线国数字服务贸易具催化作用。新西兰创意与科技中小企业可关注中国文旅数字化市场，维塔工作室等已借特效技术参与中外合拍；但需审慎评估地缘政治格局变化，避免将文化合作过度政治化。率先布局数字人、沉浸式体验等细分领域的企业，或将在新一轮文化贸易中占得先机。

关键词: 敦煌, 文明交流互鉴, 一带一路, 全球文明倡议, 数字丝绸之路, 人工智能, 文化遗产, 青年交流, 文明对话国际日

AI illustration on MiDeer Observer

Source: People's Daily Online – International