Chongqing - The 2025 Yangtze River Civilization Forum opened in Chongqing this week under the theme "Bridging Rivers and Seas, Sharing Wisdom of Civilizations." For the first time, the high-level forum has gone international, drawing experts from the Nile, Indus, Amazon, and Mesopotamian river basins to join Chinese scholars in a dialogue on world civilizations.
Prof. Lan Yong, Director of the Institute of Historical Geography at Southwest University. (Photo/Yue Xingchen)
Prof. Lan Yong, Director of the Institute of Historical Geography at Southwest University, noted Chongqing's special place in the Yangtze River civilization and its growing role in cultural exchanges.
From Inland Crossroads to International Stage
From a historical geography perspective, Lan emphasized that Chongqing occupies a rare position as the core of the Yangtze’s upper reaches. "The upper Yangtze is unique worldwide," he explained. "It is both one of the busiest and one of the most dangerous inland waterways, and this duality shaped a resilient local culture. Generations of Chongqing residents learned to thrive under such conditions, forging a spirit of toughness and perseverance that still defines the city today."
Unlike most great rivers, where civilizations flourished mainly in the middle and lower reaches, the Yangtze also fostered a highly developed upper-river civilization. "That makes the upper Yangtze, and especially Chongqing, distinctive in the study of global river civilizations," Lan noted.
This photo taken on Aug. 13, 2025, shows a navel orange orchard on the bank of the Yangtze River in Daba Village of Fengjie County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. (Photo/Jiang Shengxiong, Xinhua)
Lan observed that foreign audiences still know relatively little about Chongqing’s ancient past, such as the "Wushan Man," a subspecies of homo erectus that dates to around 2.04 million years ago and was found at the Longgupo site in 1984, or the Song-era stronghold of Diaoyu City.
Yet, the city’s profile rose dramatically in modern times. As China’s wartime capital during the 1940s, Chongqing became internationally recognized, and since being designated a municipality directly under the central government in 1997, it has emerged as a western hub of economic and cultural development.
"Chongqing's task today," Lan said, "is to highlight its unique assets and bring them to the world stage. Our cultural resources may not always be as old as those of the Central Plains, but they are distinctive, whether it is the Three Gorges or the food culture. These are points of interest with global appeal."
Forum as a Bridge for Civilizations
Lan welcomed the forum's expanded international scope, which will gather scholars from Egypt, Brazil, Pakistan, and beyond this year. "Every civilization has its strengths," he remarked. The purpose of such dialogue is to learn from one another. The Yangtze River Civilization Forum is not just about academic research—it is also about building cultural confidence and turning our heritage into a driver of modern development."
He compared the forum's role to that of recent exchanges in Egypt, where Chongqing hosted the "When the Yangtze Meets the Nile" cultural events. "Whether through a joint documentary or a high-level forum, these initiatives share the same goal: mutual understanding and respect. Learning from others while showcasing our strengths helps foster a harmonious environment for both national and city development."
Balancing Protection and Building Global Recognition
As discussion of world civilizations turns increasingly toward sustainability, Lan stressed that cultural heritage protection must go hand in hand with environmental stewardship. "Today, our mountains and rivers are in the best ecological state in centuries, thanks to joint efforts in recent decades. But we must ensure that preserving green landscapes also allows for human habitation," he said.
The same applies to cultural heritage. "Tourism development can sometimes conflict with relic preservation. How to restore an ancient site—whether to 'repair old as old' or introduce modern elements—is not just a technical question, but one that requires careful balance. This dual protection of nature and culture is an important challenge for us."
Diaoyu City scenic area in Hechuan District of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. (Photo/Xinhua)
Looking forward, Lan believes Chongqing should leverage the Yangtze Civilization Forum to enhance its global profile. "Chongqing must first embrace its role as a hub and gateway," he said. "But beyond that, it should position itself as a landmark of both economic and cultural development in western China."
He added that the forum is vital in this process: "By promoting equal dialogue among river civilizations and showcasing the unique strengths of the Yangtze, we not only reinforce China's cultural confidence but also contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind."
As the Yangtze River Civilization Forum enters its third edition in Chongqing, its internationalization underscores the city's transformation from a regional inland city to a crossroads of global cultural dialogue. For Lan Yong, the task ahead is clear: to preserve and promote the Yangtze River's unique heritage while making Chongqing's voice heard on the world stage.