China Services Info丨China-Arab Library Conference in Nanjing enhances cultural exchange and AI integration
(China Services Info丨2025/5/30) The Sixth China-Arab Library and Information Science Professionals Conference took place in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on Wednesday, furthering cultural exchange and collaborative development of libraries between China and Arab nations.
More than 60 directors and experts from China and Arab countries attended the Sixth China-Arab Library and Information Science Professionals Conference, which took place in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Hosted by the National Library of China and the Secretariat of the Arab League, the event saw the participation of key figures such as Zhang Jianping, deputy director of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s international exchange and cooperation department, and Chen Ying, Party secretary and deputy director of the National Library of China.
More than 60 directors and experts from various Arab countries and China also attended the conference. Huo Ruijuan, deputy director of the National Library of China, led the opening ceremony.
More than 60 directors and experts from China and Arab countries attended the Sixth China-Arab Library and Information Science Professionals Conference, which took place in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Since its inception in 2015, the conference has witnessed growing regional cooperation achievements in the library and information sector between China and Arab countries.
Innovative collaborations have enriched cultural exchange and cooperation, facilitating substantial exploration in enhancing the integration and mutual understanding of civilizations between the two regions.
At the conference, representatives from libraries across Arab countries and prominent Chinese libraries delved into the theme “Trends in Library Development in the Era of Artificial Intelligence”.
More than 60 directors and experts from China and Arab countries attended the Sixth China-Arab Library and Information Science Professionals Conference, which took place in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Discussions revolved around how artificial intelligence, as a transformative force, is reshaping library functions, its applications within libraries, and the establishment of cooperation and partnership ties in the field of artificial intelligence between Chinese and Arab libraries.
Chen highlighted the pivotal role of artificial intelligence in the ongoing technological revolution and industrial transformation. She emphasized how the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence is reshaping library functions, driving innovation in resource management and space utilization.
Drawing on practical applications in Chinese libraries, she outlined the development of libraries in the age of artificial intelligence and underscored the importance of fostering cooperation and partnerships between China and Arab countries in this domain.
The conference reinforces the ethos of cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and Arab nations, crucial for advancing cultural exchange and collaborative library development within the strategic framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
It also underscores the importance of establishing platforms for library exchanges, engaging in collective cooperation in library and information fields, and laying a robust foundation for practical collaboration in shared resource construction, digital library development, information field cooperation, and traditional cultural exchange between China and Arab countries.
During the conference, Huo participated in a working meeting on the China-Arab Electronic Library Cooperation Project, where discussions centered on the next steps in the project plan for the collaboration.
Guo Jun contributed to the story.