The Times Australia
News From Asia

.

When the Yangtze Meets the Hudson: Civilizations Prosper Harmoniously in Exchange

NANJING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 20 May 2024 - The Hudson River in the United States flows southward into the Atlantic Ocean, while China's Yangtze River courses eastward into the Pacific Ocean.

Despite their geographical separation, the flourishing Sino-U.S. trade and cultural exchanges have tightly connected these two rivers. On April 19, Nanjing, a significant city on the Yangtze River, brought the essence of Chinese culture to New York, a key city on the Hudson River during the United Nations Chinese Language Day event titled "A Journey of Creation, Connection and Harmony" at the UN headquarters in New York. This year marks the 15th UN Chinese Language Day, and the theme's emphasis on "harmony" and "connection" conveys the essence of peace, amity, cooperation, and alignment.

When the Yangtze Meets the Hudson: Civilizations Prosper Harmoniously in Exchange

To further promote the concepts of "harmony" and "connection", Nanjing, in collaboration with UNESCO, will highlight the 2024 Nanjing Dialogue on Yangtze River Culture at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia from May 20 to May 25. This special dialogue session will engage in conversations about urban civilization along rivers with countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Experts and youth representatives from around the world in the fields of water conservancy and water culture research will discuss topics including rivers and cultural identity, the evolution of rivers, cities and civilizations, development of historical and cultural spaces within river basins, and the contemporary significance of traditional wisdom found in heritage and intangible cultural heritage.

Cities built upon great rivers often symbolize opportunity and inclusiveness. New York, nicknamed the "Big Apple", has several origin stories all pointing to a place of greater opportunities and an inclusive social environment. Nanjing is also known as Jinling, which literally means a golden mound, similarly signifying wealth. The citizens of Nanjing are affectionately called "Big Radish", reflecting their warm and easy-going nature, welcoming outsiders with open arms. Both the Hudson River and the Yangtze River share the common trait of inclusiveness. In an era before the aviation industry developed, immigrants from around the world poured into New York via the Hudson River, while immigrants from across China converged on Nanjing via the Yangtze River. By the way, both cities have served as capitals of their respective countries.

Like New York, Nanjing is also a cultural city nourished by great rivers. As China's first "UNESCO Creative City of Literature," Nanjing has left behind a legacy of splendid works by numerous literati and poets. In contemporary times, it continues to embody its cultural heritage, offering global readers an imaginative space to encounter the Yangtze River and Nanjing through its river literature. Stephen Owen, a renowned sinologist and professor at Harvard University Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, said, "Our interest lies more in the emotional and poetic imagery that constitutes this city than the actual Jinling or its rich literary history."

Erik Solheim, former Under Secretary General of the United Nations, indicates Zhenghe at the Dialogue as a very strong symbol of dedicated peaceful internationalism. Zheng was a mystery from the Yongle emperor, the great sailor started in Nanjing traveled down the Yangtze River into the oceans went to Singapore to Sriranka to Africa, then everywhere but nowhere in war, everywhere in peace to try to get more understanding, more knowledge and bring back artifacts to China, from all these peaceful tips let's make Zhenghe the symbol of the peaceful way we need to interact in the 21st century.

In January of this year, Like a Flowing River Season 3, a TV drama, garnered significant attention in China. Not only was the series filmed in Nanjing, but it also drew creative inspiration from real-life examples of Nanjing enterprises achieving tremendous success through international cooperation in the context of the reform and opening-up. This reflects China's positive and open attitude towards cooperation and mutual learning among civilizations. The proverb, "Man struggles upwards; water flows downwards," resonates in both China and the U.S.

Despite the geographical distances, promoting human exchanges can bring civilizations closer together.
Hashtag: #YangtzeCultureNanjingDialogue

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my ...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...