Group 1 - The event focused on sustainable cultural heritage and historical cities, aiming to create a high-level international academic dialogue platform to explore feasible paths for high-quality development through protection and transmission of cultural heritage [1][2] - Pingyao Ancient City, with over 2800 years of history, is recognized for its authenticity, continuity of life, and vibrant culture, emphasizing the principle of protection first and innovative integrity [2] - Experts highlighted the importance of adaptive reuse of cultural heritage, which should not be merely commercialized but must respect historical context, advocating for a shift from passive to active protection models [2] Group 2 - The exchange conference addressed four key dimensions: overall urban planning, policy guidance, financial support, and technical backing, facilitating the collision of theoretical exploration and practical experience [2] - Participants included eight domestic and international universities, as well as various planning and cultural heritage organizations, indicating a collaborative effort to address common challenges in heritage protection and development [2]