“China is a civilization which has always put culture at the heart of it for more than 5,000 years, but also China is a country of innovation as science and technology goes along with culture, so tradition with innovation,” said Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office.
Regarding heritage conservation, Khan added that China is a very important member state of UNESCO, since 1985, in the area of natural and cultural heritage, China has made tremendous contributions. There are many projects funded by the Chinese government are helping other countries. China has played a very important role in the world towards making people aware about the protection of cultural and natural heritage.
Talking about his trip to Baoding in Hebei Province, a city that borders Beijing yet is completely lost on foreigners, Khan acclaimed it as “a gold mine of intangible heritage”. So, Khan suggested that the local government should use more social media and have more festivals. UNESCO needs to look into the standards from the perspective of conservation and education, to ensure every member of society is fully engaged.
Khan pointed out that heritage in China is the heritage for all the young people around the world. Through multilateralism to consensus, working together, working on issues that are common to all of us, we need to support our efforts of protecting world heritage, and creating new opportunities and awareness.
For more information: https://oss.changsha.cn/2021/20211105/V1101111110146_360.mp4
Translated by 胡静怡