On December 18, the 2020 Annual Conference on China's Underwater Heritage Research was held in Xi'an Jiaotong University. The conference was hosted by Xi'an Jiaotong University, supported by Intellectual Property Sub-Alliance of University Alliance of the Silk Road, Intellectual Property Center of Law School of Xi'an Jiaotong University and the Intellectual Property Research Institute of Xi'an Jiaotong University. Representatives from Shandong University, Tianjin University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, National Center for Archaeology (NACA), National Geomatics Center of China (NGCC), Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage (CACH), Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Secretariat of University Alliance of the Silk Road attended the event.

First of all, each sub-project unit made a summary and speech on the situation of the project. Representatives indicated that underwater cultural heritage has practical significance, and in the background of the Belt and Road, we need to promote the underwater heritage research in an international perspective. At the same time, we should pay attention to the cultivation of students' international research ability and strengthen the cultivation of talents in underwater cultural heritage. In the process of working, Intellectual Property Sub-Alliance and Cultural Heritage Sub-Alliance of University Alliance of the Silk Road will help to promote underwater heritage research.