Distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony included Wang Hongmin, level I bureau rank official of the National Archives Administration of China; Leong Wai Man, president of the Macao SAO Government Cultural Affairs Bureau; Cheong Chok Man, director of the Policy Research and Regional Development Bureau; Wong Huijie, division chief of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Kwibae Kim, chair of the UNESCO Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific; Imam Gunarto, vice-chair of the mentioned committee; Nada Itani, member of the International Advisory Committee; and Chu Fook Keung, professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Representatives of the organizing parties included Jun Liu, rector of CityU; Lixian Jin, dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS); and Shi Limei, university librarian. From Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association, attendees included Lau Veng Seng, president of the Board of Directors; Ung Pui Kun, vice chair of the Association and director of Kiang Wu Hospital; and Van Iat Kio, president of the Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau. Representing the Macau Documentation and Information Society were Helen Ieong Hoi Keng, director of the Executive Board; Yin Degang,  chief of the Supervisory Board; and Chan Mei Tong, secretary-general.

The symposium attracted nearly 120 participants from religious organizations, academic institutions, heritage associations, libraries, archives, and schools in Macao.

Rector Liu also noted that the upcoming year holds special significance, as it marks the 45th anniversary of the University and the 10th anniversary of the Macau Memory of the MoW Knowledge Centre, saying that University will further strengthen international connections, promote collaboration in education and research, and strive to foster joint development among the MoW Programme, world heritage and intangible cultural heritage initiatives.

Wang underscored the 17 items from China inscribed on the Asia Pacific Regional Register and 18 in the International Register, including three projects submitted by Macao: the Local Official Archives of Macau in the Qing Dynasty, the Archives and Materials of the Macao Diocese, and the Archives and Manuscripts of Macau Kong Tac Lam Temple, reflecting the city’s contributions to the protection of documentary heritage. 

Wang fully affirmed the value of the Archives and Manuscripts of Macau Kiang Wu Hospital Charitable Association (1857-1961) and noted that while it has just been inscribed in the National List, it is currently under review for the MoW Asia Pacific regional register.

She stated that these two achievements not only reflect the significant role of Kiang Wu Hospital in Macao’s history but also highlight Macao’s unique contributions to China’s antiwar efforts, emphasizing its importance as a cultural landmark for Macao and a window for dialogue between Chinese and Western civilizations.

He expressed the hope that through this symposium, the global value of these documents would be explored from the perspective of the MoW Programme, laying a solid academic foundation for the next step of nominating the documents to the Memory of the World Register for Asia Pacific.

She mentioned that these records bear witness to the significant contributions of the association during pivotal historical periods, from the late Qing era to the founding of modern China, especially in promoting the harmony of Chinese and Western medical practices, gender equality, humanitarian efforts, supporting patriotic business leaders, and strengthening connections between Macao and the Asia-Pacific region as well as the international community.

Dr. Ieong highlighted the unique and irreplaceable global value of the collection, emphasizing the inclusion is a well-deserved recognition that reflects the rich cultural significance of Macao.