JCTC PolyU Delegation visits Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai

A delegation from the HKPM – PolyU Joint Chinese Textile Centre (JCTC), comprising representatives from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), successfully concluded a visit to Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, and Shanghai from 18 to 26 June 2026. Notably, from 23 to 25 June, the PolyU delegation was joined by representatives from the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) during their visits to Suzhou and Nanjing. Visiting a total of 13 institutions throughout the trip, the delegation engaged in fruitful exchanges and explored collaborative opportunities with prominent local museums and universitie

The representatives from PolyU included Prof. Hang Xing (Co-Director of JCTC, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the Faculty of Humanities, and Professor), Dr. Feng Qilong and Dr. Shi Liu (Research Assistant Professors), and Mr. Jiang Yifan (Research Assistant).

 

Visit of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University and Zhejiang University 

On 18 June 2026, JCTC PolyU Delegation visited the College of Textile Science and Engineering (International Silk Academy) [CTSE], Zhejiang Sci-Tech University (ZSTU). The representatives of CTSE included Prof. Su Miao (Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice Dean and Professor), Prof. Zhou Yang (Professor), Prof. Li Jialin (Professor, School of Art and Design), Prof. Liu Guojin (Vice Dean and Associate Professor), Prof. Lu Jialiang (Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Textile [Silk] AI Design), and An Weizhu (Full-time Faculty Member, Department of Textile [Silk] AI Design). 

During the visit to ZSTU, the delegation engaged in highly fruitful discussions on deepening academic and research synergy. Both sides explored exciting collaborative initiatives, such as student and faculty exchange programs and heritage study tours. Strong mutual interest was also shared in collaborating on cutting-edge textile conservation, digital museum development, etc., to further promote Chinese textile heritage.

JCTC PolyU Delegation visited the CTSE, ZSTU. A group photo with their representatives before the discussion meeting.

After visiting the CTSE, the delegation visited the Center for Silk Arts and Silk Road Culture (SASR), Zhejiang University (ZJU). The representatives of ZJU included Prof. Zhao Feng (Professor, School of Art and Archaeology [SAA] / Director of the SASR / Holder of the UNESCO Chair on Silk Roads Heritage), Ms. Xu Lixiao and Ms. Luo Yaomin (PhD Student, SAA), Ms. Wang Yeli (PhD Student, CTSE, ZSTU), Ms. Huang Runjie (Admitted PhD Candidate, SAA), Ms. Sun Tianyi (Administrative Assistant, SASR), Ms. Qin Yizhen (Academic Assistant / Secretary of the UNESCO Chair on Silk Roads Heritage), and Ms. Liang Danyun (Academic Assistant / Project Secretary for the "Comprehensive Collection of Chinese Silks" Project). 

After visiting the CTSE, the delegation visited the SASR, ZJU. A group photo with their representatives before the discussion meeting, at the office of UNESCO Chair on Silk Roads Heritage.

During the visit, the delegation toured the graduation exhibition and advanced laboratories of ZJU, followed by an inspiring meeting with SASR team. The visit yielded exciting collaborative prospects, with JCTC planning to acquire the landmark Great Series of Chinese Silk Art series. Both parties reached a strong consensus on future cooperation, exploring promising avenues in database information sharing, joint academic initiatives under the UNESCO Chair on Silk Road Heritage, etc., successfully paving the way for the global promotion of Silk Road textile culture.

Delegation Visits Key Museums in Hangzhou

On the second day of their visit to Hangzhou, the delegation first toured the permanent exhibitions at the China Silk Museum. Following this, they proceeded to the Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum (HZACM) for an in-depth exchange. For the visit to HZACM, the delegation was joined by Prof. Wang Xungai, the former Co-director of JCTC and currently Chair Professor of the CTSE at ZSTU. Prof. Wang has always fully supported JCTC, recently serving as a featured speaker at JCTC's last symposium. He generously leveraged his professional network in Mainland China to facilitate and arrange this valuable visit.

At the museum, the delegation were warmly received by Mr. Chen Gang (Museum Director), Mr. Fan Xiaolin (Deputy Director of the Conservation and Research Department), and Ms. Qin Fei (Head of Intangible Cultural Heritage Creative Product Design and Marketing), sparking inspiring discussions on future collaboration.

The two sides held a highly productive academic and creative exchange. To foster future collaboration, Mr. Chen and Mr. Fan proposed sharing collection databases between universities and museums to support research. Both parties agreed on a step-by-step partnership—starting with academic exchanges and progressing to joint exhibitions—while integrating the museum’s research with JCTC's digital resources.

The JCTC delegation, joined by Prof. Wang, took a group photo at the entrance of the HZACM Group, with landmark Grand Canal of China World Heritage Monument Stone in the background.

Discussion meeting was held with HZACM representatives; those pictured include Mr. Chen Gang (Museum Director) and Mr. Fan Xiaolin (Deputy Director of the Conservation and Research Department).

Visit of Suzhou Silk Museum and Soochow University 

On the morning of 22 June 2026, the delegation visited the Suzhou Silk Museum and was warmly received by Ms. Shen Jie (Deputy Director) and Ms. Cui Can (Museum Curator). Following a tour of the permanent exhibitions, both sides held an insightful symposium. Ms. Shen introduced the museum's rich expertise in silk weaving research, textile conservation, and replication, sharing their achievements in digital extraction and creative redesign of patterns from over 2,000 collection items. For future digital collaboration, she suggested meticulously distinguishing the structural, thread, and loom differences in textiles, while navigating the digital asset registration and sharing protocols. Ms. Shen also generously presented the delegation with academic publications, including Spun and Woven Splendor: A Centennial Retrospective of Zhenya and The Great Series of Chinese Silk Art: Suzhou Silk Museum Volume.

The delegation then visited the School of Textile and Clothing Engineering at Soochow University, which featured a meeting, laboratory and showroom tours. During the meeting, Prof. Fang Jian (Associate Dean) highlighted that the school, leveraging its National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk (NESER), maintains strong industry partnerships. He proposed that both sides leverage the school's vast resource network for future collaborations in creative silk design and "Belt and Road" initiatives. The exchange was also attended by Prof. Li Gang (Professor/Assistant Director of NESER), Zhang Xiaohui (Distinguished Young Scholar), Zhang Xin (Postdoctoral Fellow), Wang Lijun (Postdoctoral Fellow), and Wang Huiyun (Academic and Scientific Research Secretary), concluding with a warm and productive dinner.

A group photo with the representatives of  Suzhou Silk Museum, including Ms. Shen Jie (Deputy Director) and Ms. Cui Can (Museum Curator).

Visit of Shanghai Donghua University and the China Maritime Museum

After being joined by representatives from HKPM during their visits to Suzhou and Nanjing from 23 to 25 June, the JCTC PolyU delegation proceeded to Shanghai to visit Donghua University and the China Maritime Museum.

On 26 June 2026, the delegation visited the School of Fashion and Design at Donghua University in Shanghai. They were warmly received by Prof. Zhou Honglei (Associate Dean), Prof. Wang Le, Prof. Liu Yu, and Prof. Li Meng. During the meeting, both sides engaged in-depth academic exchanges on textile history and costume culture. Prof. Li presented her specialized research on the Northern Silk Road and the Yufuzhi (Treatise on Chariots and Costumes《輿服志》) .

A group photo with the representatives of Donghua University at the campus.

A group photo of the JCTC PolyU Delegation at the entrance of Donghua University

Following their visit to Donghua University, the delegation visited the China Maritime Museum for academic exchanges. They were warmly received by Wu Shigang (Director of the Academic Research Department [Collection Conservation Department] and Associate Museum Curator), Ye Chong (Deputy Director of the Collection Restoration Department and Associate Museum Curator), Zhao Li (Museum Curator), and Gu Yuhui (Associate Museum Curator). After a guided tour of the Exhibition of Chinese Maritime History, Prof. Hang Xing delivered a lecture titled Ha Tien and the Mac Family, 1650-1800. In the subsequent meeting, both sides discussed potential collaborations, including joint exhibition curation and contributing foreign book reviews or translations to the museum's journal, National Maritime History.

A group photo with the representatives of National Maritime Museum.