The enduring legacy of the Maritime Silk Routes continues to inspire the present, as new academic and artistic voices emerge from Quanzhou—historically known as Zayton. On 9 December, the International Symposium on Artistic Development along Maritime Silk Routes convened at the Quanzhou Yingbin Hotel, gathering over 80 distinguished experts and practitioners from China and around the globe.

　　The symposium was co-hosted by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Fujian Provincial People's Government. It was jointly organised by the Fujian Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the China Cultural and Art Development Promotion Association, and the Quanzhou Municipal People's Government, with support from the Quanzhou Publicity Department, the Quanzhou Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, and the Quanzhou Communications Development Group.

　　Participants included specialists from Argentina, France, the Netherlands, the United States, Japan, Spain, and Italy, representing a wide range of disciplines including literature, art, philosophy, politics, economics, and tourism. The symposium centred on several key themes:

　　the historical evolution and contemporary expression of Maritime Silk Routes culture and the arts;

　　sustainable development through a synergy of cultural heritage and ecological preservation; and

　　the role of artistic innovation in enriching cultural value and promoting integrated cultural-tourism growth.

　　Throughout the sessions, scholars and practitioners explored how contemporary art projects can elevate Quanzhou's international image and expand its cultural influence on the global stage.

　　As a major maritime hub during the Song and Yuan dynasties, Quanzhou was once a cosmopolitan centre of global trade and cultural interaction—captured poetically as "the sound of tides echoed among merchants from all nations." In recognition of its profound historical and artistic legacy, the symposium also marked the official launch of the "Quanzhou World Heritage Art+" Initiative, designed to promote global artistic collaboration and heritage engagement rooted in Quanzhou's UNESCO World Heritage status.

　　Excerpt from the Initiative

　　At the opening ceremony, Mr Ding Conghui, Director of the Quanzhou Art Museum, introduced the "Quanzhou World Heritage Art+" Initiative.

　　The initiative recalls that on 25 July 2021, Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This milestone recognises Quanzhou's remarkable contributions to global history, science, culture, and the arts, and affirms its significance as a key port along the Maritime Silk Routes. It also pays tribute to the resilience and creativity of the people of ancient Quanzhou.

　　Emphasising the artistic vitality and global significance of this cultural heritage, the initiative calls for expanded international cooperation to advance intercultural dialogue, creative collaboration, and sustainable heritage development. Specifically, it proposes to:

　　establish international platforms for artistic and cultural exchange;

　　use art as a medium to interpret, revitalise, and sustainably manage World Heritage resources;

　　foster greater public engagement with heritage and enhance its global visibility;

　　integrate art and culture into urban development and tourism;

　　enhance quality of life through heritage-inspired innovation; and

　　promote mutual understanding and trust among nations and regions along the Maritime Silk Routes.

　　By nurturing artistic expression and enriching daily life, the initiative envisions a future shaped by shared heritage, intercultural learning, and mutual enrichment.

　　—

　　Reporting by Zhang Suping, Chen Siling, and Wang Baifeng (Text & Images)