The International Symposium on Living Heritage and Urban Renewal Development was successfully concluded at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre from October 17 to 18, 2025. The conference was jointly presented by the Development Bureau, The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Fudan University, Hong Kong Chu Hai College (HKCHC), and the UNESCO Chair on Living Heritage and Community Development. The event highlighted Hong Kong Chu Hai College’s essential role as a key co-host in advancing international cooperation on living heritage conservation and urban development. The Symposium gathered over a hundred delegates from the Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and countries including the UK, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Uzbekistan, to discuss how living heritage can be effectively integrated into urban renewal and urban-rural integration amidst global urbanisation.

The Opening Ceremony featured speeches from five distinguished guests, setting a high-level tone for the Symposium: Mr. David LAM, JP, Under Secretary for Development, highlighted the important force of Hong Kong’s living heritage in urban development; Professor ZHENG Yi, Dean of Cultural Heritage and Museology at Fudan University, offered an outlook on the role of cultural exchange as a bridge between Shanghai and Hong Kong; Dr. YAN Haiming, Secretariat Director of ICOMOS China, discussed heritage resilience; and Mr. QIN Changwei, Secretary-General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, elaborated on the Global Civilisation Initiative.

Ms. Jane ZHANG, Interim President of Hong Kong Chu Hai College, extended her most sincere appreciation to all co-hosts and specifically articulated the College's vision for cultural inheritance. She emphasised: "Through this international symposium, we not only pay tribute to history but also actively shape a sustainable development future founded on cultural heritage." The organising committee members for this Symposium included Professor Paul CHU, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Dr. Calvin LIANG, Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture, and the event was made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Wai Ming Charitable Foundation Fund.

The Keynote session featured speeches from Mr. David LEUNG, Commissioner for Heritage; Mr. SOU Kin Meng, Head of the Cultural Heritage Department, Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau; Professor DU Xiaofan, Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair; and Dr. CAO Jin, Director of the Guangdong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. Participants engaged in deep discussions on the three major themes, including the value and challenges of living heritage in urban renewal. The conference concluded that, on a global scale, living heritage has become a solid force driving urban renewal, urban-rural integration, and social sustainable development. Hong Kong Chu Hai College is committed to continuing such international collaboration to inject new impetus into mutual learning among civilisations.

Officiating Guests preside over the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the International Symposium.

Mr. David LAM, JP, Under Secretary for Development, delivers his welcome speech at the Opening Ceremony.

Ms. Jane ZHANG, Interim President of Hong Kong Chu Hai College, addresses the audience at the Opening Ceremony.

Professor ZHENG Yi, Dean of Cultural Heritage and Museology at Fudan University, delivers her welcome speech at the Opening Ceremony.

Dr. YAN Haiming, Secretariat Director of ICOMOS China, delivers his speech via video connection.

Mr. QIN Changwei, Secretary-General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, delivers his speech via video connection.

Professor DU Xiaofan, Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair on Living Heritage and Community Development, delivers a Keynote Speech.

Group photo of guests and experts attending the International Symposium on Living Heritage and Urban Renewal Development.

Ms. SUJEONG LEE from UNESCO's International Centre for Interpretation and Presentation of World Heritage Sites shares on "Community-centred Management of Korea's Ancient Capitals as Living Heritage."

Prof. Mavlyuda Yusupova, Director of "Silk Road" International Research Institute under "Silk Road" International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Uzbekistan, shares a case study on living heritage conservation and management in Uzbekistan.

Symposium guests visit Tung Wah Coffin Home (Tung Wah Yi Chong) on Oct 19.

Symposium guests visit Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Main Building on Oct 19 to learn about TWGHs history.

Symposium guests visit Ping Shan Heritage Trail and experience traditional Poon Choi (basin meal) on Oct 20.