The global study of the Austronesian peoples and maritime civilization has entered a new phase with the official launch of a major international organization in Pingtan, Fujian Province.

On November 30, the Austronesian and Maritime Civilization Committee of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia (ACHA) held its first general meeting, marking the formal operation of the new body. The launch positions Pingtan, an island off China's southeastern coast, as a core international center for researching the origins and diffusion of the vast Austronesian language family.

Pingtan: The Archaeological Cornerstone

For over a century, scholars have proposed that the Austronesian peoples—whose descendants are spread across islands from Southeast Asia to the South Pacific—originated in the southeastern coastal region of China.

Recent archaeological work, particularly at the Keqiutou Site Group in Pingtan, has provided critical evidence for this hypothesis. Excavations since 2017 have established a prehistoric cultural sequence spanning 7,500 to 3,000 years ago, highlighting Pingtan as a crucial starting point for understanding Austronesian dispersal. The Keqiutou site was recognized as one of China's Top 10 New Archaeological Discoveries in 2023.

New Committee Fosters Global Dialogue

The new Committee was formed to enhance coordination among researchers and institutions. It will focus on promoting joint archaeology, academic exchange, and cultural heritage protection across the Asia-Pacific region.

Peter Hiria Ottino, secretary-general of the Committee, emphasized the significance of its location:"The origin of the Austronesian people is precisely in China, and more accurately, it is very likely in Pingtan—because this is also an island."

He described the committee as an important milestone for heritage development in the South Pacific, creating a platform to achieve regional collaboration.

Keasi Unaloto Ki Sene Prescott of Tonga College noted that the platform creates a valuable opportunity for "civilization dialogue, cultural exchange, and academic cooperation between Fujian and the Pacific region."

Research and Exhibition Facilities

Pingtan has solidified its role by establishing key facilities, including the Pingtan International Research Center for Austronesian Archaeology and the Keqiutou Site Museum, which opened in December 2024.

The launch day also featured an academic forum where experts from multiple countries and disciplines—including archaeology, genetics, and maritime history—discussed the Austronesian origins and evolution of oceanic civilization.

Zhou Zhenyu, a director at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, concluded that the exchange "builds a bridge for modern interaction between Pacific Island cultures and China, fostering a true civilization dialogue."