By XU Zhilong, editor-in-chief of Science and Technology Daily

Distinguished guests, IUSTC members, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon!

We are here today, along the Xiangjiang River, at the foot of Yuelu Mountain in Hunan, China, for the 2026 Annual Meeting of the International Union for Science and Technology Communication – IUSTC - and the Forum on Charting the Path for the Global Outreach of Integrated Culture-Tech Industries. On behalf of Science and Technology Daily and the IUSTC Secretariat, I extend a warm welcome to all IUSTC representatives and guests, both Chinese and those who traveled from far to be here. I would also like to thank the Publicity Department of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, the Hunan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, and the Malanshan Group for their support.

Since its inception in 2018, the IUSTC has continued to flourish. It now comprises 24 member organizations across 15 countries and regions on five continents. We have built a communication network spanning 11 languages that delivers multimedia content to over 300 media websites worldwide.

Today, we are gathered for both a reunion of old friends and a new beginning. For the first time, the IUSTC’s annual meeting is being held outside Beijing, marking a new breakthrough.

Hunan is one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. Its spirit, the "Huxiang spirit," is characterized by deep concern for the nation, daring to be first, commitment to practical application, and an inclusive, open-minded outlook. This spirit has nurtured generations of people here, known for their bold vision and enterprising spirit. Today, Hunan is not only a guardian of its rich cultural heritage, but also as a trailblazer in technological advancement. The "China V Valley," exemplified by the Malanshan Video Cultural and Creative Industrial Park, has empowered Hunan's cultural and broadcasting sectors with technology. It serves as a model for the nationwide integration of culture and technology.

We live in an era where culture and technology are deeply intertwined. Every technological leap reshapes the landscape of cultural creation and dissemination. From bamboo slips and paper to movable type printing and the Internet, every revolution in human communication has enabled the spark of civilization to travel further and shine more brightly.

The rapid advancement of AI has created unprecedented opportunities for cultural creation and dissemination. AI can translate a single article into a hundred languages, empowering the IUSTC to transcend linguistic and cultural barriers. It enables ordinary individuals to create cultural products, expanding the supply of personalized content. AI also serves as a "multiplier" for the global reach of Chinese culture, disseminating it to the rest of the world.
However, we must also be aware of the challenges posed by AI. Deepfakes blur the line between truth and falsehood, algorithmic "filter bubbles" narrow our horizons, and the homogenization of products erodes the diversity of civilizations. Issues of copyright, circulation, and ethical oversight require urgent regulation and strengthening.

While technology may determine the speed of communication, humanistic values determine its direction. In the face of the rapid surge of new technologies—AI being a prime example—we, as key players in the cultural and technological sectors of our respective countries, must not only make good use of these tools but also uphold the right principles. We must ensure technology remains a driving force for the flourishing of civilization and the transmission of our rich cultural heritage, and not become a cause for concern.

This annual conference, themed "Charting the Path for Global Outreach of Integrated Culture-Tech Industries," is intended to foster consensus amidst change and seek solutions in the face of challenges. Through this forum, we welcome international media and think tank partners to China and share vivid, compelling stories about China and Hunan with the rest of the world.

Looking to the future, we are committed to working with all member organizations to fulfill three key roles.

First, we will promote the concept of integrating culture and technology. Together with IUSTC members, we will strive to build a digital cultural ecosystem that is diverse, inclusive, open, and characterized by mutual learning. On one hand, we will proactively analyze new trends and patterns in cultural evolution within the digital age, while systematically articulating the contemporary significance, core values, and practical pathways for the integration of culture and technology. On the other hand, leveraging the strengths of mainstream media and think tanks, we will guide society toward a rational perspective on innovative cultural expression. We will advocate for technological innovation that aligns with the betterment of civilization, thereby laying a solid value-based foundation for dialogue among human civilizations in the age of AI.

Second, we will promote brands that integrate culture and technology. We encourage all our partners to join us in telling vivid, relatable, and credible local stories. Within the framework of the IUSTC, we aim to highlight cultural brands from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, showcasing exemplary cases where culture and technology converge. Furthermore, we encourage the think tanks within the IUSTC to distill the best practices and successful experiences of such integration, thereby injecting fresh vitality into the exchange and mutual learning between civilizations.

Third, we will practice integrated development of culture and technology. We encourage stakeholders in the cultural sector, including media organizations, to lead the way and remain at the forefront of the global technological revolution. This requires adopting advanced technologies, innovatively allocating production resources, and facilitating the profound transformation and modernization of the cultural industry. It also requires active participation in developing new technological foundations and content vehicles, such as open-source communities, large language models, and intelligent agents, while engaging in co-creating content, sharing channels, and jointly constructing platforms. Together, we can foster mutual understanding among peoples and promote exchange and mutual learning between civilizations.

As the saying goes, "Everybody cherishes his or her own culture, and if we respect and treasure other's culture, the world will be harmonious." Each civilization has its own unique splendor. Only by appreciating one another and supporting one another's success can we create a brilliant galaxy of human civilization. "Even mountains and seas cannot distance people with common aspirations." We firmly believe that as long as the members of the union remain united, international cooperation in scientific and technological communication will reach new heights. The seeds of integrating culture and technology will take root and flourish across an ever-expanding landscape.
I wish this forum great success! I hope all of you will have a memorable stay in Hunan.

Thank you very much!