Heritage Conservation Team of UMTec Participates in the 2nd General Assembly of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia

The Second General Assembly of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia (ACHA), the First Membership Meeting of the Scientific and Technological Committee, and the International Academic Symposium were held in Chongqing on the 27-28 November 2025. The event was co-organized by the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China, the People's Government of Chongqing Municipality, and the ACHA. The University of Macau is one of the co-initiating entities of the Alliance's Scientific and Technological Committee. University representatives, Professor Ip Kin Hong and conservator Feng Jian of the UMTec Heritage Conservation Team participated in the meetings at Chongqing. During the symposium, Professor Ip delivered a report titled "Protecting Macau’s heritage – Bridging science and traditions", sharing Macau's World Heritage conservation experience with Chinese and international guests to promote the exchange and mutual learning of various civilizations among Asian countries.

In her report, Professor Ip emphasized that Macau is an internationally renowned World Heritage site. Heritage conservation must be based on science and technology, while addressing the importance of talent cultivation. She noted that the most crucial aspect of Macau's heritage conservation lies in the bridging of scientific principles and local restoration skills. The heritage restoration team of the University of Macau is striving to construct this “knowledge transfer bridge” and is committed to nurturing a new generation of professional conservators. The Alliance's Scientific and Technological Committee also includes representatives from various countries such as Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Mongolia, and the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as scholars from renowned domestic academic institutions like the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage, the Palace Museum, and the Dunhuang Academy.

The Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia (ACHA) was established in April 2023. Its mission is to strengthen the protection of cultural heritage in Asia, deepen the exchange of Asian civilizations, promote the building of a community with a shared future for Asia, and contribute to the progress of human civilization. Currently, the Alliance covers 24 countries and regions across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. It has evolved into a multilateral cooperation platform with extensive international influence. Through joint efforts in the fields of archaeology, cultural heritage conservation, World Heritage title application, talent cultivation, academic research, and other initiatives, the Alliance advances the protection, inheritance, and utilization of cultural heritage in Asian countries, as well as facilitates civilizational exchange and mutual learning, and contributes Asian wisdom and solutions to global cultural heritage governance.

The Second General Assembly attracted representatives from 33 countries and international organizations. Significant collaborative outcomes were achieved, including the establishment of the ACHA Austronesian and Maritime Civilization Committee and the ACHA Scientific and Technological Committee. These achievements have effectively promoted cooperation and exchanges in Asia's cultural heritage protection efforts, conveyed the value of Asian cultural heritage, enhanced mutual understanding and trust among people of all countries, and advanced the joint construction of a prosperous and beautiful cultural home in Asia.