Xiplomacy: How China helps preserve cultural heritage sites in Asia

The General Assembly of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia kicks off in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 25, 2023. [Xinhua]

In fact, China has played an indispensable part in multiple cultural heritage protection projects in Asia and beyond. For example, Southeast University in the east Chinese city of Nanjing has been working closely with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on this front for more than 20 years.

In 2017, a team of scholars and students from the university's School of Architecture, including Professor Zhou Xiaodi, were invited by Myanmar's cultural authorities for preliminary work on the ancient city Mrauk-U's application for a UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

The first glimpse of Mrauk-U is something Zhou still vividly remembers. "It was late at night when we reached Mrauk-U. The ancient city is nestled among the mountains, and on top of almost every hill, there is a pagoda," he recalled. "The lights from the pagodas were reflected in the water mist on the river, making the whole scene quiet and layered."

Between 2017 and 2020, the team has mapped 112 ancient pagodas and monasteries in Mrauk-U and completed a high-precision map of the ancient city's core area and an area of 30 square km around it. They also built a visual geographic information database and worked out plans for Mrauk-U's protection and the management of its world heritage application.

STRONGER CULTURAL BONDS

Central Afghanistan's Bamyan Valley is home to the famous Buddhas of Bamyan. Years of war and economic hardship have left the caves there not numbered and cleaned for a long time.

However, the situation that badly hindered the heritage protection and further archaeological research has now been reversed. A group of young Chinese scholars have financed a protection project for the heritage site, as well as a program to teach local children how to preserve cultural heritage sites.

"With our specific suggestions and financial support, most of the caves near the Buddha site have been officially numbered and installed with introduction nameplates," said Shao Xuecheng, one of the Chinese scholars.

In addition, they funded a program to teach local children how to preserve cultural heritages. Kids from impoverished families were invited to attend training activities on relevant knowledge by distributing bread.

"I'm thankful to Chinese friends for providing training and assisting the children to learn how to protect and preserve the cultural heritages in the future," said Ahmad Ali Hussianyar, a local archaeologist.

The archaeological site of Hatra, an ancient city about 90 km southwest of Nineveh's provincial capital Mosul, in Iraq. [Xinhua]

Noting that misunderstanding results in disputes, he said that China's plan will help promote mutual understanding and learning among people all over the world, and contribute to the security, stability and peace of the world.

Nasir Khan, an official from Pakistan's Department of Archaeology and Museums, has a similar opinion.

Respecting the diversity of civilizations and cultures is core to peaceful co-existence in the world, he said, adding that the Global Civilization Initiative will promote the peace and harmony of mankind at a time of conflict, hegemony and selfishness.