Shan Jixiang, director of the Palace Museum gives a speech at the forum, Beijing, Sept 20, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Aiming to protect cultural heritage and promote international exchanges and cooperation among ancient civilizations, the World's Ancient Civilizations Protection Forum, themed "Echoes of the Past", began at the Palace Museum on Sept 20, 2017.

Cultural and diplomatic officials, museum curators, archaeologists and historians from 21 countries, including Afghanistan, Bolivia, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Iran and Turkey, were joined by representatives from related international organizations, including the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) attended the forum. Four officials and experts from Poland, Greece, Iran and Peru made key speeches at the opening ceremony.