The 2026 International Copyright Forum opened Monday in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, drawing representatives from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), cultural and copyright officials from more than 40 countries and regions, and industry figures from China and abroad.

Hosted by China's National Copyright Administration (NCAC) and WIPO, the forum is themed "Copyright and the Creative Industries in the Digital Era: Preserving Cultural Heritage and Empowering Global Creativity."

WIPO Director General Daren Tang said cross-regional cultural exchanges drive creativity. He highlighted the size of China's creative sector and ongoing growth in the global creative economy, and outlined WIPO initiatives to help emerging creators sustain livelihoods from their work.
Participants will discuss copyright challenges arising from digital and AI advances, with the program featuring roundtables and case studies.