The 2024 Global Forum on Hehe Culture is held in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, on Nov 2. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

The 2024 Global Forum on Hehe Culture, themed "Hehe Culture and New Model for Human Progress", convened in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, on Nov 2. Nearly 300 guests from over 30 countries engaged in deep cultural exchanges to foster mutual understanding and unity.

Hehe culture, believed to have originated on Tiantai Mountain in Taizhou, emphasizes harmony and convergence. Around 1,200 years ago, two monks named Hanshan and Shide once lived a secluded life on the mountain. They later came to be known as the "Two Saints of Hehe", becoming a symbol of Hehe culture.

Following the opening ceremony, Essam Sharaf, former prime minister of Egypt, Erik Solheim, former undersecretary-general of the United Nations, and Piet Steel, a director of the Board of Special Olympics, were named Hehe culture ambassadors.

"I believe Hehe culture can play an important role in guiding efforts to build a community of shared future where everyone can enjoy prosperity and be part of a new world order defined by dialogue-driven international relations, and globally governed by rules and genuine multilateralism," said Sharaf in his remarks at the opening ceremony.

Additionally, Taizhou launched the "Initiative for Deepening Cultural, Economic, and Trade Exchange and Cooperation among Sister Cities" with 14 of its sister cities in over 10 countries, including France, Germany, and Spain.

Established in 2021, the forum has become a renowned platform for cultural exchange and ideological dialogue, attracting global figures who advocate for Hehe culture, endorse its values, and appreciate its significance in the modern world.