An international symposium, "Across Time and Space: The Silk Road and Silk City" was held at William Paterson University of New Jersey in the US from Oct 26 to 27.

More than 30 experts from various countries, including China, the US and Britain, discussed the function of the Silk Road and its influence on today's life. The seminar, both online and offline, also centered on Sino-America relations since the 18th century, with over a thousand audience members in attendance.

Huang Ping, Chinese consul general in New York, Andre Sayegh, mayor of Paterson and university president Richard Helldobler attended the opening ceremony with other institution representatives.

Huang said the Silk Road established by ancient Chinese people 2,000 years ago bridged many civilizations, seeing continuous flourishment of commercial exchanges. A diverse array of customs, thoughts and languages met along the road.

The symposium, echoing China's Belt and Road Initiative, aims to encourage cultural and commercial exchanges between China and the US.

Sayegh said Paterson is a well-known "Silk City" which has a highly developed silk and textile industry, adding he expects cooperation with China to help the city's future development. The symposium brought Chinese culture to the campus, further encouraging mutual academic development and cultural understanding, he said.

A series of exhibitions on China's silk and Guizhou province's dye crafts were launched on Oct 17 and will last through Dec 2.

The event was organized and supported by the Center for Chinese Art at William Paterson University and China International Culture Association.