On May 7, 2023, the Center for Cooperation and Education Development of the USC-SJTU Institute of Cultural and Creative Industry (ICCI) hosted a forum in Shanghai. The event, co-organized by the Interdisciplinary Center for Computing and the Arts of Northwestern Polytechnical University and the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press, focused on the theme of "Value Reconstruction and Living Inheritance." Its aim was to explore the integration of digital technology with the preservation and protection of intangible cultural heritage. The forum provided a platform for industry professionals, academics, and researchers to engage in dialogue through four themed forums, a book launch ceremony, a book donation event, and a handover ceremony of the forum's hosting rights.

Intangible cultural heritage holds great value in human civilization and is essential to China's rich traditional culture. Promoting and inheriting intangible cultural heritage is important for continuing historical context, promoting cultural exchange, and building cultural power. The forum brought together experts and scholars from prestigious universities such as Imperial College London, Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shandong University, Nanjing University, Xiamen University, East China Normal University, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Northwest University and Shanghai Normal University. These representatives included inheritors of intangible cultural heritage and experts from various regions in China. Their face-to-face dialogues explored central issues, technological innovations, and trends in the field.

During the opening ceremony, Hao HU, Director of the Publicity Department, and Member of the CPC SJTU Standing Committee, emphasized the importance of deep integration between digital technology and traditional culture in promoting the inheritance of Chinese traditional culture in the age of intelligent media. Boying LIU, Deputy Director of the Office, Leading Group for the Promotion of the Cultural and Creative Industries in Shanghai, introduced the thoughts and initiatives of Shanghai’s intangible cultural heritage through digital communication. Weimin ZHANG, Secretary of the General Party Branch and Dean of ICCI, expressed his gratitude to all participants and underscored the significance of digitalization in enabling intangible cultural heritage to "live" and "vitalize".

During the forum, Huadong CHEN, President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press, presided over the launch of the Report on Digital Communication of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China (2018-2022). This report, jointly completed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Northwestern Polytechnical University, focuses on the preservation, protection, and communication of China's traditional culture. It offers a detailed analysis of the social and communication aspects of intangible cultural heritage based on an analysis of 11,952 questionnaires from 15 provinces and cities, including Shanghai, Beijing, Lanzhou, Luoyang, Yangzhou, Guangzhou, and Suzhou. This pioneering report provides actionable insights and addresses important questions such as "What is," "Why," and "How to." Xinwan LI, Director of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library, emphasized the value of printed books in academic research and cultural education during the book donation ceremony.

In the closing speech, Professor Ke XUE emphasized how digital strategies have brought fresh perspectives to the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. The forum explored emerging topics and trends related to the digital dissemination and innovative development of intangible cultural heritage while providing a platform for stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and research sectors to exchange ideas and promote high-quality development in this field. The forum aims to contribute intellectual resources and wisdom to digitally disseminate intangible cultural heritage to further drive academic research and cultural education.