2025 Forum for Asia-Pacific Maritime Culture  

in association with the International Congress of Maritime Museums Regional Meeting

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22- 25 September 2025  

Hong Kong Maritime Museum  

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Call for Papers

 

We are pleased to announce the 2025 Forum for Asia-Pacific Maritime Culture, a new collaboration between the Hong Kong Maritime Museum and the China Maritime Museum (Shanghai). This forum aims to gather the collective wisdom and insights of scholars from both the East and West, fostering in-depth dialogue to inspire new perspectives on the urgent issues facing our maritime heritage and marine environment. At this critical juncture, it is imperative that we prioritise the protection of endangered maritime cultures while situating them within a long-term cultural context. Equally important is the need to enhance public awareness and understanding of marine conservation and sustainability. 

 

The forum will take place in Hong Kong, a unique crossroads of East and West, bringing together professionals from the maritime industry, academia, and diverse cultural backgrounds across the Asia-Pacific region. In conjunction with the International Congress of Maritime Museums regional meeting, we aim to create a dynamic platform for discussing a wide range of topics related to maritime culture and sustainable development. 

 

We invite short proposals focusing on the two main themes of the forum – Maritime Cultural Heritage and Marine Environmental Sustainability. The programme committee will prioritise original research and innovative interpretations that bridge these two areas. Below are specific areas of interest; proposals from other relevant fields will also be considered: 

 

Forum Themes: 

 

1. The Legacy of Zheng He in a Global Context: The intersection of maritime trade, technology, and culture in the Asia-Pacific. Explore how maritime trade has evolved since the era of Zheng He, and how technological advancements and cultural exchanges have shaped today’s maritime ecology. 
    

2. Preservation and Transmission of Maritime Heritage: The resilience of vulnerable cultures. Focus on effective strategies for preserving and utilising both tangible and intangible maritime heritage in the Asia-Pacific, particularly those cultural traditions at risk of disappearing. 
    

3. Tales from the Deep: Underwater archaeology and global cultural connections. Reveal how discoveries in underwater archaeology in the Asia-Pacific reflect the historical contexts of global trade and cultural exchange. 
    

4. Ports and Society: Cultural interactions and maritime community dynamics. Examine the multifaceted influences and interactions between maritime communities and societal cultures throughout the history of Asia-Pacific ports. 
    

5. Marine Science through a Cross-Cultural Lens: Future sustainability and the role of museums. Investigate differing perspectives on marine science, conservation, and sustainability from Eastern and Western viewpoints, and how maritime museums can serve as bridges in curation and education. 
    

6. The Mission of the Maritime Industry: Promoting environmental protection and sustainable development practices. Analyse how the maritime industry actively supports and promotes marine environmental protection to shape a sustainable future. 

 

Submission Guidelines: 

 

Participants are invited to submit brief proposals in their original language, accompanied by an English translation of up to 500 words outlining the scope of their paper. This should include a biographical note of no more than 150 words, detailing contact information and affiliated institutions, if applicable. 

 

Successful presenters at the Forum will have 20 minutes each: 15 minutes for the presentation and 5 minutes for questions and answers.  

 

The conference papers will be published as a Conference Proceedings with papers in their original language and an abstract in English. 

 

• Deadline for Proposal Submission: 31 March 2025 

• Please submit your proposals via the link: Call for papers submission form  

• Accepted contributors will be notified by: End of April 2025 

• Deadline for submitting PowerPoint presentations: End of August 2025 

• If you have any questions, please contact us: forum@hkmaritimemuseum.org 

 

We look forward to your contributions and insights, which will enrich the discussions at this important forum.