Ningbo Bangda has contributed to the successful convening of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Maritime Culture Forum!

On September 23, the “…”, co-organized by the Hong Kong Maritime Museum and the China Maritime Museum, 2025 Asia-Pacific Maritime Culture Forum and the International Council of Museums – Committee for Museums and Collections (ICMM) Asia-Pacific Regional Annual Meeting The event was held at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, bringing together over a hundred experts and scholars from around the world. Among them, 30 distinguished guests from 18 countries and regions delivered compelling presentations, jointly exploring cutting-edge issues in maritime culture.

Ningbo Bangda, as a collaborative support partner, was invited to attend the event. Zhang Lu, General Manager of the R&D Division On behalf of the company, he took to the stage to deliver a keynote address titled “Practices and Explorations in the Intelligent Development of Collection Warehouses.” 


Opening Ceremony

At the opening ceremony, Hong Kong’s Director of Marine, Wong Sai-fat; Jin Xiao, a second‑level inspector with the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission; and Richard Kendall, Director of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, each delivered remarks. From the perspectives of regional development, policy support, and museum responsibilities, they underscored the importance of safeguarding maritime culture and promoting sustainable development, setting a tone of pragmatic cooperation for the forum.

Keynote Speech

The keynote address session was chaired by You Zefeng, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum.

Kristen Greenaway, President of the International Council of Museums of the Sea, titled her presentation “Global Maritime Museums: Bridges Connecting the Oceans,” and outlined four key responsibilities for maritime museums: serving as cultural bridges that celebrate diverse nautical traditions; safeguarding maritime heritage through both physical and digital means; advancing marine conservation; and fostering international cooperation via cultural diplomacy.

Kristen Greenaway, President of the International Maritime Museums Association

Professor An Laishun of Shanghai University, who also serves as Chair of the ICOM Asia-Pacific Regional Alliance, focused on “The Multifaceted Value and Sustainability of Maritime Cultural Heritage.” He argued that the preservation and dissemination of maritime cultural heritage constitute a key driver for advancing the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with maritime museums playing an irreplaceable role in this endeavor.

An Laishun, President of the ICOM Asia-Pacific Regional Alliance and Professor at Shanghai University

Issue an initiative

The “Blue Ocean, Global Coexistence: An Initiative to Establish an International Network for Maritime Cultural Research and Development,” released at the forum by Zhao Feng, Director of the China Maritime Museum, was one of the event’s key highlights.

Zhao Feng, Director of the China Maritime Museum

The initiative points out that the ocean serves as a bridge for cultural exchange, and that the world today must unite to address challenges such as climate change and marine pollution. To this end, it proposes four key areas of action: I. Technology Empowers : Promote the application of artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain technologies in maritime heritage preservation, and develop digital archives and virtual exhibition platforms; II. Deepening Research : Establish interdisciplinary and cross-regional research consortia, integrate resources from universities, research institutions, and other entities, and explore the diversity of marine cultures; III. Public Participation : Establish pilot projects for the digital presentation and education of global maritime culture, thereby promoting the vision that “shipping makes life better”; IV. Green Development Promote low-carbon shipping technologies, explore pathways for ocean governance that integrate traditional wisdom with modern science and technology, and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

Sub-forum

The sub-forum sessions featured in-depth discussions around six core themes, focusing on cutting-edge issues in specialized fields.

Forum 1: “Underwater Archaeology Dialogue: Deep-Sea Heritage Connecting the World”

In-depth exchanges were held on exploration technologies, research methodologies, and conservation strategies for underwater cultural heritage, with a focus on how to strike a balance between scientific research and preventive conservation of underwater sites.

Forum II: “The Legacy of Zheng He in a Global Context—The Convergence of Maritime Trade, Technology, and Culture in the Asia-Pacific Region.” Focusing on the historical legacy of Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Seas, this analysis examines his pivotal role in shaping maritime trade networks and fostering cross-cultural exchanges across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as how the spirit of Zheng He can inform contemporary maritime cooperation and cultural dialogue.

Forum III: “Ports and Society: Cultural Exchange and the Interaction of Maritime Communities.” The discussion centers on issues such as how ports facilitate the collision and integration of diverse cultures, the formation and developmental dynamics of maritime communities, and the impact of evolving port functions on the lifestyles of these communities.

Forum Four: “Marine Science: The Future of Sustainability and the Role of Museums.” This paper focuses on the “social responsibility” of maritime museums—examining how they disseminate marine environmental protection knowledge to the public through exhibition design, public education, and science‑communication initiatives—and explores practical pathways for translating the concept of “marine sustainable development” into concrete action.

Forum Five: “Preservation and Transmission of Maritime Heritage: The Resilient Journey of Fragile Cultures.” Focusing on “vulnerable maritime cultural heritage,” this study analyzes the contemporary challenges it faces—such as natural erosion, the pressures of urbanization, and gaps in transmission—and explores ways to ensure that such fragile maritime heritage endures resiliently in modern society.

Forum Six: “Cross-Cultural Perspectives: Practices and Reflections in Museum Education.” Starting from the lens of cross-cultural differences, this discussion centers on the educational role of maritime museums, exploring how “cross-cultural dialogue” can enhance museum education and foster understanding and appreciation of maritime culture among audiences from diverse backgrounds.

Special Forum

During the thematic forum session, Zhang Lu, General Manager of the R&D Division at Ningbo Bangda, focused on… Comprehensive solutions and integrated services for collection‑storage facility construction, high‑end custom‑made products and equipment, and digital management empowerment. …, fostering discussion and exploration, and achieving deep integration across the entire lifecycle—planning, design, construction, and operations. Based on the specific conservation needs of collections made from diverse materials—such as calligraphy and painting, ceramics, metalwork, bamboo and wood artifacts, silk textiles, and garments—intelligent storage cabinets and racks with tailored protective features have been developed. Coupled with modern management practices, this approach establishes a benchmark for upgrading to smart repositories.

Zhang Lu, General Manager of the R&D Division at Ningbo Bangda

This year is of special significance: it marks the 620th anniversary of Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Seas, the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, and the 15th anniversary of the China Maritime Museum. These three major milestones in the field of navigation converge here, transforming this forum not only into a platform for academic exchange but also into a tribute to the maritime civilization.

As a collaborative support partner for this forum, Ningbo Bangda not only feels deeply honored but also recognizes the responsibility that comes with it. We firmly believe that a company’s value lies not only in achieving business success, but also in actively driving the progress and prosperity of its industry. Supporting the successful convening of this forum is a vivid demonstration of our commitment to this principle.

We stand ready to join forces with our global partners, pool our collective wisdom, and share opportunities, working together to advance the preservation and innovation of culture. We will also continue to support high‑level international dialogues of this kind, contributing our expertise and passion to building a blue future that is broader in scope, smarter, and more sustainable.