An exhibition at the 5th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo. [Photo/WeChat account: srdice]

The 5th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo in 2021 debuted an online-offline integrated format for the first time, expanding the time and space dimensions of cultural exchange.

At the opening ceremony, eight Chinese and international guests delivered video speeches or participated online and in person. Focusing on promoting the Silk Road spirit and cultural prosperity, they exchanged views on Belt and Road cooperation and cultural exchange.

The exhibition section also combined online and offline displays, showcasing cultural relics, art, intangible cultural heritage, specialties, cultural creative products, and tourism products from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and Chinese provinces.

The total exhibition area was about 8,000 square meters, with nearly 100,000 exhibits. An online platform supported live streaming, photos, online participation and a news center. More than 4 million people took part online, while a live event attracted over 2 million netizens, creating a new model for the expo.