- Commonwealth of World Chinatowns (CWC) Conference 2025 showcases five days of interactive dialogue
- Features international speakers who share their research and ideas on their respective fields
- CWC hopes to inspire the next generation with knowledge that bridges past, present, and future
THE inaugural Commonwealth of World Chinatowns (CWC) Conference brought together scholars, cultural leaders, scientists, and students for five days of dialogue and discovery at JEN Penang Georgetown by Shangri-La. The event, held from Sept 3 to 7, 2025, was officially opened by Mr Wong Hon Wai, a member of the Penang State Executive Council, representing the guest of honour, Mr Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang and it highlighted Penang’s position as a nexus of history, heritage, and innovation.
International and local speakers
Delegates and invited speakers arrived from across the globe, underscoring the international reach of the conference. Among them were distinguished Zheng He researchers Dr Wang Sheng-wei from Hong Kong and Ian Hudson from the United Kingdom, alongside Sulia Chan of the New York Zheng He Society and Fausto Guimarães representing Brazil. Maritime and exploration themes were also reinforced by Captain Lim Keow Wah from the Singapore Zheng He Society.
Also at the conference were Yusmadi Yusof and Dr Lip Li who together with Prof Tay, covered New Dialogues for a New Asia in the Multipolar World while Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat spoke briefly on opportunities available, on the Belt & Road Southeast Asia.
Desmond Dezz Moey (songwriter, show producer, choral director) and Colin Goh (Singaporean lawyer, writer, filmmaker, and arts advocate) talked on performing art while Dr Kuah Li Feng, of One Academy, spoke on creating CWC Curatorship Short Course for those interested.
Expanding beyond history, the conference also welcomed figures from science and future studies. Timofey Egorov of Russia’s Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre spoke on space education, while Indonesian geologist Dr Danny Hilman Natawidjaja presented his work on Gunung Padang and the Sundaland hypothesis. From China, Wu Xiaoxi of the Shanghai Science and Technology Muzeum shared perspectives on astronomy and China's space programme while Christy Tsang, of eHang presented the future of air-taxis, the eVTOL or Electrical Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft.
Other leading voices included Prof Tay Kheng Soon (Singapore), Dr Sarena Abdullah (Universiti Sains Malaysia), Kwok Kian Chow (Singapore art historian), Dr Hu Chao (China) and Lim Siang Jin (Malaysia) who discussed the topic, “Regionalising Southeast Asian Art: Scholarship, Exhibition, and Hybrid Digital Platform.”
Malaysia was represented by an equally strong lineup of speakers. Among them were historian and policy analyst Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng, space scientist Tan Sri Dr Mazlan Othman, and aerospace industry leader Dato’ Nonee Ashirin Binti Dato’ Mohd Radzi, who highlighted the initiatives of the Nonee Ashirin Foundation in education and innovation, and the plans to set up the International Youth Space Academy with CWC Enterprise in Penang where both Timofey and Wu will be coordinators for the Academy's curriculum.
Khoo Boo Wooi, CEO of Tech Dome, Penang State Science & Technology Centre, gave a presentation on the role his company plays in promoting space science. Khoo also arranged for the students from 30 secondary schools in Penang to attend the talks at the conference.
Youth engagement at the forefront
One of the standout features of the conference was its youth engagement programme. Over 1,000 secondary school students from across Penang participated during the first two days, attending specially designed talks on topics ranging from Zheng He’s voyages to the mysteries of Sundaland and the future of space travel. Students were also introduced to opportunities in higher education in Russia, sparking aspirations of international study and scientific exploration.
The strong turnout of young participants reflected the conference’s mission not only to connect global Chinatowns but also to inspire the next generation with knowledge that bridges past, present, and future.
Among the highlights of the conference were the launch of New Asia Currents, the media platform of CWC, followed by Dinner with Emily on Sept 6, 2025. This special musical revue was written by Stella Kon who wrote the original Emily Hill The Musical. Diners were served a specially curated Peranakan four-course menu during the three intermissions. The music for the revue was composed by Desmond Dezz Moey. Director Eleanor Tan also took on the role of the adult Emily for this show.
Media coverage and local impact
The conference’s dynamic programme drew significant attention from the media. Local media outlets such as Kwong Wah online (click here), Bulletin Mutiara (click here the official publication for Penang, Harapan Daily (click here), Pocket News (click here), and Vibes.com (click here) provided coverage, capturing highlights of the sessions and keynote addresses.
Independent platforms such as Adrian Cheah’s blog (click here) also documented the event, especially on Dinner with Emily and the launch of New Asia Currents on Sept 6, 2025, ensuring broader community outreach.
For Penang, hosting the CWC Conference 2025 marked more than just an academic gathering. It reinforced the state’s role as a hub where culture, scholarship, and innovation intersect. The blend of international expertise and local voices created a vibrant dialogue that linked Zheng He’s maritime legacy to contemporary debates on science, sustainability, and global connectivity.
Looking ahead
The success of the first Commonwealth of World Chinatowns Conference has paved the way for future editions, promising to expand networks across continents. As delegates departed Penang, the consensus was clear: the conference had achieved its aim of building bridges — between nations, between generations, and between the wisdom of history and the possibilities of tomorrow. Till we meet again from Sept 2 to 6, 2026 in Penang.
