New Chapter of China-U.S. Museum Dialogue: Deepening Bilateral Cooperation

May 24, 2026

To boost China-U.S. museum cooperation, the Chinese Museums Association (CMA) led a delegation of Chinese museums and cultural tech firms to the 2026 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo in Philadelphia from May 21 to 23. The U.S.’s largest event in museum sector hosted over 350 exhibitors and nearly 5,000 professionals.

On the afternoon of May 22, CMA and AAM co-hosted the China-U.S. Museum Dialogue at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Attendees included AAM President & CEO Marilyn Jackson, Chen Chunmei, Minister-counselor for Cultural Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in the United States, AAM board member and Emeritus Director of Asian Art Museum of San Francisco Jay Xu, and CMA Deputy Secretary-General Ai Jingfang. Over 40 Chinese and U.S. museum experts held in-depth talks under the theme The Museum Odyssey.

Minister-counsellor Chen delivered an address. She referenced the recent China-U.S. presidential summit in Beijing, where both sides agreed to build a constructive, strategically stable bilateral relationship. The leaders’ Temple of Heaven visit underscored museums’ unique role in fostering mutual understanding and people-to-people connectivity. The past two years witnessed fruitful joint projects: repatriation of Zidanku Silk Manuscripts Volumes II & III, plus overseas exhibitions of Terracotta Warriors, Qi Baishi paintings and Zeng-Chu bronze art. Supported by national policies, China’s museums thrive amid rising cultural demand, creating broad room for bilateral collaboration. She noted the forum serves as a vital exchange platform and called for sustained cultural ties to consolidate popular support for bilateral relations.

Marilyn Jackson welcomed the Chinese delegation. AAM and CMA have partnered since 2011. Cross-cultural exchange lies at the core of AAM’s annual conference, and she looked forward to more idea-sharing between the two sides.

Ai Jingfang summarized previous joint exhibitions and technology cooperation, outlined innovative developments within China’s museum sector, and invited American counterparts to attend the 11th Chinese Exposition of Museums and Relevant Products and Technologies (MPT-EXPO), to be held this November, to foster deeper mutual trust and exchanges.

During the keynote session, Chinese representatives shared practical experience spanning museums’ international exchange and communication, exhibition curation, smart museum development, and heritage conservation and utilization. Shi Ziqiang, Vice Director of Henan Provincial Museum, elaborated on the museum’s innovative practices for cultural exchange; Fu Lin, Research Associate at the National Museum of China and CMA Visiting Scholar to US, explored innovative approaches to China’s international exchange exhibitions with reference to cases from the National Museum of China; Guo Junye, Researcher at the Dunhuang Academy, illustrated multiple means to boost the global outreach of Dunhuang culture, including digital technology deployment, exhibition presentations, and public lectures; Li Shijie, Deputy General Manager of Tianjin Hengda Museum Science and Technology Co., Ltd., presented innovative practices of AI applications and accessible information services for museums; Lin Ying, Deputy General Manager of Shenzhen Huato Measurement and Control System Co., Ltd., focused on cutting-edge museum technologies such as intelligent display cases, multimedia showcases, and advanced waterless microclimate regulation technology. The keynote session was moderated by Dean Phelus, Editor-in-Chief of Museum magazine published by the AAM. Participants raised active questions regarding the keynote presentations and engaged in in-depth discussions.

Jay Xu delivered closing remarks. He stated museums safeguard history while linking global wisdom and emotions. As the U.S. prepares for its 250th founding anniversary, U.S. museums launched commemorative shows, notably the exhibition “Seeking Profit and Power: Philadelphia, the China Trade, and the Making of America” at Independence Seaport Museum, which retraces early Sino-U.S. maritime trade and its role in shaping America’s national identity. Aligned with the forum theme, he argued museums should go beyond collection and display to advance cross-cultural empathy. He urged deeper China-U.S. collaboration to bridge professionals and communities amid shared challenges.

CMA’s booth showcased China’s museum concepts and cutting-edge tech. Minister-counsellor Chen visited the booth and praised Chinese museums and cultural enterprises.

A poster by CMA titled Co-Creating the Guidelines on Museum Accessibility in China was exhibited. On May 22, Liu Qingqing, Coordinator of Children's Museum Research Center Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University introduced the poster and communicated with peers.

The delegation also visited major museums in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, including the National Museum of American History, National Museum of Asian Art, Penn Museum, Independence Seaport Museum, and Philadelphia Museum of Art, holding detailed discussions on museum education, talent exchange, exhibition planning and joint projects.