Taihe Forum marks Palace Museum's 100th anniversary

Standing at a new starting point, the century-old Palace Museum in Beijing is drawing on its past experiences to enhance international engagement and open a new chapter for the future, experts said at a key international cultural event.

They made the remarks at the 7th Taihe Forum on Saturday in Beijing, as the museum — also known as the Forbidden City, China's imperial palace from 1420 to 1911 — celebrates the 100th anniversary of its establishment.

On Oct 10, 1925, the former imperial complex of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties was transformed into a public cultural institution.

Organized by the Palace Museum and the Forbidden City Cultural Heritage Conservation Foundation, the forum, which ended on Monday, brought together more than 300 experts from museums, research institutions, universities and enterprises in 26 countries and international organizations. Participants discussed topics such as the high-quality development of museums, the use of technology in cultural preservation and the sustainable development of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Wang Xudong, director of the Palace Museum, reviewed the institution's century-long history and highlighted its role as a repository of China's more than 5,000-year-old civilization and a center for traditional culture.

By the end of 2024, the museum had accumulated a collection of more than 1.95 million cultural relics. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987 and is part of the "Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital", which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2024.

In a video message, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, director of UNESCO World Heritage, highlighted the integration of the site into modern city life.

He said the Forbidden City has stood for more than six centuries as a witness to Beijing's evolution and vitality.

"It is not only a magnificent historic landmark that embodies the Chinese philosophy of neutrality and harmony, but also a remarkable example of how heritage can be both preserved and celebrated within a vibrant, modern metropolis," he said. "It demonstrates that heritage conservation and sustainable development can go hand in hand, enriching the lives of citizens and inspiring future generations."

Wang said the museum will continue to build a safe and dynamic institution, enhance academic research and apply advanced technologies to develop a digital museum.

"Looking back over the past century, one important lesson we've learned is the significance of actively engaging in international communication and cooperation," Wang said.

He noted that the museum has organized joint exhibitions with foreign counterparts, sent scholars abroad for archaeological research and established a cultural heritage conservation laboratory in partnership with Greece.

The Taihe Forum itself, Wang said, reflects this spirit of openness. Named after Taihe Dian, or the Hall of Supreme Harmony — the highest-level imperial hall in the Forbidden City — the forum was launched in 2016 to promote the values of ancient civilizations and their relevance to modern development.

"We hope the forum will become an important platform where delegates from various countries can build consensus and coordinate action," Wang said. "This will allow different civilizations to enhance mutual understanding through fair communication and enable diverse cultures to achieve shared prosperity through openness and mutual learning."

Chase Robinson, director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in the United States, said his museum, which opened two years before the Palace Museum, could be seen as an elder sibling to it. As his institution celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023, he offered insights for the Palace Museum's future.

"Past performance doesn't ensure future success," Robinson said. "Institutions like museums need to embrace growth and transformation. They must evolve to reflect the interests, needs and aspirations of the people they serve."