The International Symposium on Chinese Textiles 2026, jointly organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) and presented by the HKPM – PolyU Joint Chinese Textile Centre (JCTC), was held successfully on 4–5 May 2026. This landmark academic event served as a premier platform for interdisciplinary exchange, achieving an extraordinary global reach with over 300 onsite participants and over 207,827 total views across digital platforms. On the first day alone, the Zaiyi platform recorded 199,337 views, while the HKPM WeChat channel attracted 8,490 views and over 12,603 engagements, reflecting the immense public interest in Chinese textile history and technology.
A Convergence of Global Authorities
The symposium commenced with inspiring welcome remarks by Louis Ng, Co-Chairman of JCTC and Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, who highlighted the center's mission to bridge museum scholarship with university innovation. The academic program featured an illustrious lineup of world-class speakers, with keynotes delivered by Zhao Feng of Zhejiang University and Fan Jinmin of Nanjing University.
Experts sharing their research included Liu Qi (Hunan Museum), Wang Le (Donghua University), Zvezdana Dode (Research Institute of Archaeology and Ancient History of the North Caucasus), Tao Xiaoming and Zhao Yi (PolyU), Wang Xungai and Zhou Yang (Zhejiang Sci-Tech University), Yan Yong (The Palace Museum), Jessica Harrison-Hall (British Museum), Lyu Zhichao and Yau Sum Yin (HKPM), Luca Molà (University of Warwick), and Liu Dejun (Shanghai Binge Silk Co. Ltd.). These sessions were expertly moderated by Zhao Feng (Zhejiang University), Daisy Yiyou Wang (HKPM), Jiang Kinor and Hang Xing (PolyU), fostering deep dialogues between history, science, and the global circulation of textiles.
|
The program also featured a captivating conversation between renowned collector Chris Hall and Daisy Yiyou Wang. © Hong Kong Palace Museum |
Q&A session, (From Left) Jiang Kinor, Deputy Director of JCTC, Professor of PolyU, Morderator of Session 2: Chinese Textiles: Science and Technology; Zhao Feng, Co-Director of JCTC, Professor of Zhejiang University, Keynote Speaker and Morderator of Session 1: Textiles along the Silk Roads. © Hong Kong Palace Museum |
JCTC: Vision for the Future
The symposium concluded with closing remarks by Hang Xing, Co-Director of JCTC, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the Faculty of Humanities, and Professor at PolyU. Prof. Hang introduced the public and experts to the core mission and strategic goals of the JCTC.
He highlighted the center's robust academic foundation, specifically noting the 22 ongoing research projects currently funded by JCTC, which span historical research, scientific analysis, and cultural preservation. Prof. Hang shared the center's future development plans to become a world-leading hub for textile studies and expressed his profound gratitude to the international community for their contributions. The successful conclusion of the symposium marked the beginning of a new chapter for global interdisciplinary collaboration in textile culture.
|
Following the remarks, participants enjoyed a complimentary visit to the exhibition “A History of China in Silk: The Chris Hall Collection” at the HKPM.
Collector Chris Hall introduced his collection to the visitors at the “A History of China in Silk: The Chris Hall Collection” at the HKPM. © Hong Kong Palace Museum |
Immersive Campus Tours and Exclusive Viewings
The second day focused on experiential learning, offering over 60 public audience members and international scholars a unique opportunity to engage with Hong Kong’s leading textile research and exhibition spaces:
- Guided Campus Tours at PolyU: Delegates were treated to an in-depth tour of the School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT), led by various SFT professors.
- Heritage and Artistry: The journey began at the University Gallery, tracing PolyU’s evolution, and the Fashion Gallery, which showcased exquisite contemporary textile artistry and creative crossovers between SFT graduates and prominent Hong Kong brands.
- Hands-on Innovation: Inside the SFT labs and workshops, professors demonstrated advanced textile machinery and shared insights into current research and teaching. In an engaging highlight, participants were invited to try the machines firsthand, experiencing the intricate process of creating different types of textiles. This allowed them to witness how faculty and students bridge the gap between material science and creative fashion design.
- Special Textile Viewing Sessions at HKPM: In a rare opportunity, registrants were granted exclusive access to the studio—a facility typically closed to the general public. Under the guidance of experts, participants engaged in an intimate study of the prestigious Chris Hall Collection. This behind-the-scenes session allowed for a detailed examination of the intricate craftsmanship and preservation of ancient Chinese silks.
Guided tour at the University Gallery for guests, and exchange between international guest speakers and PolyU professors and doctors. (From Left) Liu Dejun, Shanghai Binge Silk Co. Ltd.; Feng Qilong, The Hong Kong Polytechinic University; Helen Wang, Zhejiang University; Jessica Harrison-Hall, British Museum; Zhou Yang, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University; Zhao Feng, Zhejiang University;Luca Molà, University of Warwick; Zvezdana Dode, The Research Institute of Archaeology and Ancient History of the North Caucasus; Wang Le, Donghua University; Liu Qi, Hunan Museum; Henry Duh, PolyU; Yan Yong, The Palace Museum; Hang Xing, PolyU; Jiang Kinor, PolyU; Bin Fei, PolyU; Shi Liu, PolyU.
|
Erin Cho, Inaugural Executive Dean and Limin Professor in Integrated Strategies and Leadership at the School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT), PolyU, introduced the SFT facilities to the guests at V-core 13/F.
|
Jiang Kinor, Deputy Director of JCTC, Professor of PolyU, introduced the projects of SFT professors and researchers to the guests at the one of the SFT Weaving Workshop MN008. |
