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One of China’s leading media platforms, Sina Finance, described the cooperation memorandum signed between the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan as an important step toward elevating cultural ties between the two countries to a new level. The publication noted that the agreement provides for joint exhibitions, scientific research, specialist training, enhanced cooperation between museums, as well as projects that will showcase cultural heritage through artificial intelligence technologies.

On 20 July, the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan signed a cooperation memorandum in Hong Kong. The document aims to expand cultural exchange, strengthen mutual understanding, and develop strategic cooperation in areas such as exhibitions, scientific research, and professional training.

The cooperation memorandum between the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan was officially signed on 20 July in Hong Kong.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Louis Ng, Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, emphasized that Uzbekistan is a country with a rich cultural heritage. He noted that he had previously engaged with representatives of Uzbekistan’s cultural sector and had witnessed their strong interest in Chinese culture.

He also recalled that earlier this year the museum had established a cooperative relationship with the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan, adding that the newly signed memorandum would further strengthen cultural ties between the two regions while reinforcing Hong Kong's position as an international hub for cultural and artistic exchange.

Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director of the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan, emphasized that the Center possesses extensive museum collections and exhibition resources, expressing his full support for all cooperation initiatives to be carried out with the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

According to him, showcasing cultural heritage through artificial intelligence technologies will become one of the new directions of cooperation between the two institutions. This initiative is intended to bring young people closer to historical monuments, increase their interest in cultural heritage, and contribute to the preservation and transmission of cultural treasures to future generations.

On the same day, the Hong Kong Palace Museum also hosted a special lecture entitled “A journey through Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage — The Islamic Civilization Center.”

The event brought together leading experts on Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage, who provided an in-depth presentation on the country’s unique architectural monuments and rich cultural legacy.

The lecture was attended by Farhod Arziev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the People’s Republic of China, and Nicholas Ho, Commissioner for Belt and Road of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

In his remarks, Nicholas Ho noted that more than two thousand years ago, Uzbekistan was a key hub along the ancient Silk Road, serving as a crossroads of diverse cultures and ideas. He added that today Uzbekistan remains one of the key participants in the Belt and Road Initiative, acting as one of the principal bridges connecting Asia.

He also emphasized that Hong Kong plays an active role in the initiative by strengthening global connectivity through China and serving as an important gateway for dialogue among civilizations. He expressed hope that the two sides would further deepen their cooperation in the fields of cultural heritage preservation, tourism, and sustainable development in the years ahead.