Discussing Permanent Venue for Global ICH Expo, Advancing A20 Mechanism, and Hand in Hand Group Boosting Global Commercial Expansion of ICH

Miami, USA – August 17, 2026

At the joint invitation of the Miami city government and Mr. Joe Chi, Executive Chairman of the G20 Summit Preparatory Committee, Ms. Long Xiaofei, Executive Vice Chairwoman of the Organizing Committee of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors Conference, led a special delegation, together with Mr. He Weiwen, President of Hand in Hand Group and Chairman of the New York Tsung Tsin Association, to Miami. The delegation conducted in-depth discussions and site inspections with key local government officials, educational institutions, and chamber of commerce representatives on major projects including the permanent venue selection for the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Arts Expo, the construction of a “never-ending” ICH experience base, and the establishment of an autism awareness and vocational training school. This visit marks a pivotal step in the globalization strategy of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors Conference following the Paris International ICH Week in June 2026 and the Beijing press conference, signaling the transition from “blueprint release” to “on-the-ground implementation.”

I. Miami Government Places High Priority, Venue Selection Enters Substantive Phase

During the visit, the Miami government expressed strong interest and a warm welcome for the establishment of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Arts Expo. Both sides held practical discussions on a permanent venue. Miami, as a cultural and artistic hub connecting North America and Latin America, boasts a mature exhibition ecosystem (including Art Basel), a multicultural atmosphere, and international aviation advantages, making it the preferred American city for the Expo.

Ms. Long Xiaofei, Executive Vice Chairwoman of the Organizing Committee, and Ms. Chen Huimin, Executive Chair of the U.S. Liaison Office, stated both on-site and via video conference: “Miami is not only a vibrant city of art but also a vital gateway for ICH culture to reach Latin America and global markets. We look forward to creating a 365-day ‘never-ending’ ICH exhibition window here – so that intangible heritage is not just artifacts behind glass, but a living culture that can be touched, experienced, and passed on.”

Under the plan, the Expo will establish an annual awards mechanism, using real behavioral indicators such as visitor dwell time in front of exhibits, interactive experience data, and social media mentions as the “wind vane” for awards like “Best ICH Work” and “Best ICH Inheritance Project.” This “experience-as-judging” data-driven model breaks the closed and subjective nature of traditional art评审, allowing the public to vote for ICH works with their physical presence.

- Xiaofei Long, Executive Vice Chairwoman of the Organizing Committee of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors Conference,

organized an on-site inspection delegation and held discussions and meetings with relevant personnel via both online and oﬄine connections. The participants included:

- - Weiwen He, President of Hand in Hand Group and Chairman of the New York Tsung Tsin Association,
  - President SHERRILL KAZAN ALVAREZ de TOLEDO, World Council of Peoples for the United Nations,
  - Conan Lee Yuan Ba,
  - Jinghua Liu, from the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Industry Development Research Institute
  - Huimin Chen, US Executive Director of the World Conference of Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors.
  - Jiantian Yang, Hand in Hand Group
  - Yongfang Shan, Operations Director of Beijing New Impact Cultural Development Co., Ltd.
  - Zhilong Wang, Director of the City Walk Reception Hall
  - Zhizhong Wang, from the China Huaxia Cultural Heritage Foundation
  - Bin Xu, from Everbright Group
  - Wuji Wang, Chairman of the Hong Kong World Daming Foundation
  - Naxin Su, Executive Vice President of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors Conference, Hong Kong Gaocasi Charity Foundation / Hong Kong Nepal Chamber of Commerce

& Miami Dade Beacon Council

- - Julio Pitt, Vice President Development
  - Marixell Garcia, Director of Business Development
  - Joe Chi, Executive Chairman of the G20 Summit Preparatory Committee, President of Latin Chamber of Commerce of USA

II. Joe Chi’s Introduction and Promotion: A20 Initiative as Official Engagement Group

Another major outcome of the Miami visit was the official launch of the “A20 (Arts20) – G20 Arts and Culture Summit” initiative, proposed as a permanent official engagement group within the G20 framework, under the personal introduction and push of Mr. Joe Chi, Executive Chairman of the G20 Summit Preparatory Committee.

Joe Chi noted in the meeting: “Culture is the bond that connects humanity’s shared destiny. The G20 already has B20 representing business and C20 representing civil society, but it lacks a systematic voice from the arts and culture sector. The establishment of A20 will fill this gap, allowing artists, creators, and cultural practitioners to directly participate in global governance dialogue.”

According to the proposal, A20 will follow the mature operational models of B20 and C20, establishing multiple thematic working groups (covering creative economy, cultural heritage protection, digital culture, culture-climate action, etc.). Through multi-stakeholder consultations, it will produce annual policy recommendation reports to be formally submitted to the G20 Summit. Its core goal is to systematically integrate cultural and artistic perspectives into global economic, social, and environmental policies, ensuring that growth policies balance cultural value and social cohesion, and promote inclusive, sustainable global development. Joe Chi emphasized that A20 is not only a dialogue platform but also an action platform – it will secure concrete international cooperation and resource support for ICH protection, cultural diversity, and the creative economy.

III. Integration of Food as Medicine and Art Therapy in Global ICH Promotion; Autism Awareness and Screening Center Gains International Attention

The delegation also highlighted the unique value of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an important “mysterious Eastern color” in world intangible cultural heritage. Recent domestic and international studies have shown that the integrative health promotion approach known as “Mr. Zhang Jilie’s Triple Method” has demonstrated highly positive effects in improving emotional stability, sleep quality, and social abilities in children on the autism spectrum.

Based on this, the delegation announced consideration of establishing a “Starlight Autism Awareness and Talent Development Center” in Miami, and concurrently launching the world’s first “Free AI-Based TCM Constitution Identification and Behavioral Observation Initial Screening Program” for children aged 3–6. The program will leverage a collaborative network between the heritage school and local health promotion institutions to provide free consultation and screening services to families worldwide. It will also utilize the “Eson·Star Bear” companion robot to continuously collect data on language, social interaction, and emotions during ICH art therapy sessions, producing quantifiable positive outcome assessment reports. This will provide scientific evidence for the internationalization of TCM-based food-as-medicine health promotion methods in autism intervention.

Ms. Chen Huimin stated: “We are not only spreading ICH skills but also using the warmth of ICH and Eastern wisdom to build a bridge for ‘children of the stars’ to connect with the world. Let every child be seen, understood, and empowered.”

- - Xiaofei Long, Executive Vice Chairwoman of the Organizing Committee of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors Conference,

led a delegation from the World Conference on Intangible Cultural Heritage Heritage Bearers on a site visit and engaged in communication and exchanges both online and oﬄine：

- - He Weiwen, President of Hand in Hand Group and Chairman of the New York Tsung Tsin Association,
  - Joe Chi, Executive Chairman of the G20 Summit Preparatory Committee, President of Latin Chamber of Commerce of USA
  - Education-related experts and professionals of the Miami-Dade Beacon

IV. ICH Vocational Training School: A “Starlight Project” for Global Welfare

The delegation discussed with representatives from Miami-Dade County educational institutions and the Florida Department of Education the plan for establishing a “World ICH Handicraft Heritage School.” The school will focus on “ICH skill inheritance + vocational education,” recruiting students globally and providing systematic handicraft vocational training for neurodivergent youth, especially those with autism.

Numerous cases have proven that the high repetitiveness, fine manipulation, and immersive orderliness of ICH handicrafts naturally align with the cognitive traits and perceptual strengths of autistic individuals. From documented teams of “lifelong care-required” autistic youth forming natural dyeing groups, to lacquer art workshops inherited by “special craftsmen” – countless examples show that ICH not only heals the mind but also translates into sustainable vocational skills and economic income, helping special groups move from “being cared for” to “self-reliance” and even to becoming “ICH inheritors and masters of art.”

Guests present praised and agreed: “The establishment of this school will be a boon for neurodivergent communities worldwide. We do not cultivate ‘special students’ – we cultivate true craftsmen, inheritors, and cultural envoys in the progress of human civilization.”

V. Deep Involvement of Hand in Hand Group: Industry Linkage Driving Global Commercial Expansion of ICH

In this visit, Hand in Hand Group, as a key member of the joint delegation, demonstrated its crucial role in commercializing ICH and expanding international markets. Represented by Mr. He Weiwen, Chairman of the New York Tsung Tsin Association, the Group leverages the global network of nearly 100 million Hakka compatriots and a century-old overseas Chinese association to build a full industry chain ecosystem from culture to products.

Hand in Hand Group has recently formed a strategic alliance with the Latin American Chamber of Commerce (CAMACOL) and signed the “Cross-Ethnic Community Cultural Linkage and Hand in Hand Group Multi-Party Operational Cooperation Agreement.” The two sides will use “food as medicine” as a bond to jointly develop co-branded health teas, ICH cultural and creative products, and “migratory bird” wellness tourism routes, integrating ICH into clothing, food, housing, and daily life. At the same time, the Group is co-producing with Dream Media a documentary film The Legendary Story of the Oscar Statuette – From Zero to One Million, and plans to hold a co-creation art exhibition for autistic children and launch “Oscar co-branded” health tea and other health promotion products during the Miami Art Basel in December 2026, with part of the proceeds donated to autism care organizations.

Ms. Long Xiaofei noted: “The participation of Hand in Hand Group injects strong industrial momentum into the global dissemination of ICH culture. We will join hands to promote multi-level trade in ICH artworks, traditional handicrafts, and food-as-medicine health products, enabling sustainable two-way empowerment of cultural and commercial value on a global scale.”

Mr. He Weiwen also stated: “The energy of Hakka compatriots worldwide is our confidence. We will take this visit as an opportunity to deepen the exchange and commercial expansion of ICH cultural and artistic themes, bringing products and services carrying Eastern wisdom to every corner of the world.”

VI. Global Simultaneous Linkages: Beijing, Hong Kong, New York, California – Fruitful Outcomes

The Miami inspection trip was connected in real time via video link with the Paris headquarters of the World ICH Inheritors Conference, the New York Tsung Tsin Association, teams in California, and teams in Hong Kong and Beijing. All parties highly affirmed the progress and reached multiple consensuses on subsequent tour collaborations, funding connections, and international communications.

The Organizing Committee of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors Conference stated that the success of the Miami visit marks a new phase for the Conference, moving from “blueprint release” to “global implementation.” Over the next three months, the delegation will complete the site evaluation report and sign cooperation memoranda. The first stop of the

“Vientiane Fusion · ICH Art Global Touring Exhibition” is planned to launch in Paris or New York in October 2026, continuously promoting the inheritance, innovation, and sharing of ICH culture worldwide.

Civilizations shine through exchange, and art flourishes through mutual learning. When ICH meets Miami, when A20 meets G20, when “children of the stars” meet thousand-year-old crafts, and when Hand in Hand Group connects the world across mountains and seas – we believe the world will see more beauty, hear more voices, and connect more possibilities.

Media Contact：

Xiaofei Long / Huimin Chen

World Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors Conference Delegation Arrives in Miami