From May 16 to 19, Beijing City University (BCU) and the City University of Macau jointly hosted the 2026 "Beijing-Macau Twin Cities: Academic Workshop on the International Communication of Beijing's Intangible Cultural Heritage," organized by the School of International Culture and Communication of BCU. Selected as part of the "2026 Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau University Exchange Program" by the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the project welcomed a delegation of faculty and students from the City University of Macau, led by Professor Xiao Daibai from the Cultural Industry Management program at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Together with BCU faculty and students, the delegation conducted field visits and academic exchanges on intangible cultural heritage (ICH), resulting in a highly successful event.
Themed "International Communication of ICH in the Beijing-Macau Twin Cities," the workshop allowed faculty and students from both universities to explore Beijing's traditional culture, trace its historical context, and experience the charm of ICH. During the event, participants visited cultural landmarks such as the Gold Lacquer Inlay Museum and the Palace Museum. At the Gold Lacquer Inlay Museum, they observed exquisite traditional craftsmanship up close, while at the Palace Museum, they touched the warmth of history amidst its red walls and yellow glazed tiles. Strolling through Tiananmen Square, the youth from both universities deeply felt the profound cultural heritage of China's capital.
Faculty and students also visited the Qianmen Dashilan Cultural District to explore time-honored Chinese brands such as Liubiju and Ruifuxiang, uncovering the cultural genes and business wisdom of these century-old merchants. During a salon themed "ICH Culture on Beijing's Central Axis," participants had the privilege of discussing the cultural value and significance of the Central Axis with two senior cultural scholars, Geng Jiqiu and Liu Ying, chief editors of the book Journey of ICH on Beijing's Central Axis. At Daoxiangcun in Longfusi Temple, faculty and students experienced the traditional pastry-making process firsthand, witnessing the living transmission of ICH. Young students from both universities engaged in enthusiastic discussions on the integration of traditional culture and modern commerce. Through these rich practical experiences and cultural exchanges, participants deepened their mutual understanding of each other's city cultures and built profound friendships.
On May 19, Li Jiayi, Director of the School of International Culture and Communication, Lv Yingli, Deputy Director of the School of International Culture and Communication, and Bao Yuanyuan, Deputy Director of the Contemporary Beijing Research Center, along with other faculty and students, attended the "Ancient Charm of Beijing and Macau: ICH Cultural Exchange Salon." During the salon, participants shared sincere exchanges based on their field visits, gaining a tangible appreciation of Beijing's profound ICH heritage and its fashionable vitality.
During the keynote speech session, four experts and young students shared in-depth insights on the protection and inheritance of ICH. Professor Xiao Daibai delivered a presentation titled Diversified Characteristics of Macau's ICH and Productive Protection through Cultural-Tourism Integration, systematically outlining Macau's innovative practices in integrating ICH protection with the cultural tourism industry. Mao Qiaohui, a researcher at the Institute of Ethnic Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Director of the Folklore and ICH Research Office, presented Negotiation and Balance between Beijing's ICH and Cultural-Tourism Development, analyzing the tension and equilibrium between ICH protection and tourism development from an academic perspective. Bao Yuanyuan presented Panoramic Analysis of the Inheritance of Beijing's Intangible Cultural Heritage, providing a comprehensive overview of the current status and challenges of ICH transmission in Beijing. From a youth perspective, student Zeng Wentai presented Macau's ICH Projects: The Development and Inheritance of Woodcarving - Macau Deity Sculpture, sharing his research and reflections on Macau's traditional woodcarving craft. The session was highly engaging, sparking vibrant intellectual exchanges. Following the presentations, BCU awarded certificates of honor to the Macau faculty and students in recognition of their active participation in the Beijing-Macau cultural exchange.
The 2026 "Beijing-Macau Twin Cities: Academic Workshop on the International Communication of ICH" marks the third time the School of International Culture and Communication has been approved for the "Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau University Exchange Program" by the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, following previous successes in 2021 and 2025. It has now become a signature brand for the Faculty's international communication of urban culture. The Beijing leg of this year's workshop used excellent traditional Chinese culture as a medium, fostering sincere exchanges and sharing of cultural observations and academic thoughts. Participants used unique perspectives to discover and document the beauty of Beijing's ICH, transforming their experiences and stories of Beijing into unforgettable memories through rich practical activities. In the upcoming autumn semester, a delegation from the School of International Culture and Communication will travel to Macau to continue collaborating with the City University of Macau on the 2026 "Beijing-Macau Twin Cities: Academic Workshop on the International Communication of Macau's ICH," contributing to urban cultural exchanges between Beijing and Macau.
