By hannover-web.com **Title: How Do World Heritage Sites Foster Civilizational Exchange?**
**Interview with Lv Zhou, Director of the National Heritage Center at Tsinghua University and Leader of the Beijing Central Axis World Heritage Application Team**
**By Du Yan, China News Service**
World cultural and natural heritage represents essential achievements in the development of human civilization and the natural world. As of July 2024, UNESCO’s World Heritage List features 1,223 sites across 168 countries. With 59 entries, China stands out as one of the nations with the most diverse array of world heritage sites.
The recently added “Beijing Central Axis—A Masterpiece of China’s Ideal Capital Order” (commonly called the “Beijing Central Axis”) now marks the eighth world heritage site in Beijing and the 59th in China, recognized on July 27.
In a recent interview with China News Service, Lv Zhou, the Director of the National Heritage Center at Tsinghua University and the head of the Beijing Central Axis World Heritage application team, discussed the significant role of world heritage in promoting civilizational exchange and sustainable development.
**Interviewer:** In today’s globalized world, what importance does civilizational exchange hold for human progress?
**Lv Zhou:** World heritage, as acknowledged by the World Heritage Committee under the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, represents unique cultural and natural assets belonging to humanity. These sites are irreplaceable treasures that reflect the rich diversity of civilizations. Each heritage site embodies distinctive values that can be interpreted in various ways, nurturing mutual respect and dialogue across different cultures.
In a speech at UNESCO headquarters in 2014, President Xi Jinping asserted that “civilization becomes colorful through exchanges and enriched through mutual learning.” He emphasized that the exchange of ideas among civilizations is a crucial force for advancing humanity and promoting global peace.
The dialogue that emerges during world heritage protection resonates with China’s current initiative to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
**Interviewer:** What unique role does the Beijing Central Axis play in facilitating cultural exchange and understanding among civilizations?
**Lv Zhou:** The Beijing Central Axis, as the latest addition to the World Heritage List, acts as a vital portal for the world to engage with Chinese civilization. It is crucial for us to acknowledge our historical identity and cultivate cultural confidence.
The diversity of world heritage sites not only reflects historical exchanges but also serves as the foundation for respect and dialogue among civilizations today. The Beijing Central Axis exemplifies remarkable urban design and embodies significant cultural ideologies and architectural practices, lending it unique cultural value. Along this central axis are notable structures from various dynasties, creating a cohesive urban landscape that has influenced the city’s development.
If we compare the Beijing Central Axis to key architectural layouts in ancient European capitals, we can see differing underlying logics and forms, influenced by historical cultural contexts. Many iconic axes in historical European cities developed from urban transformations post-17th century, primarily propelled by aesthetic ideals for city landscapes. In contrast, modern cities typically reflect contemporary urban planning philosophies.
Analyzing similar heritage sites fosters an appreciation for the differences in urban design, philosophical views, and cultural perspectives across civilizations. This understanding of differences provides a foundation for mutual respect and dialogue in contemporary society.
The Beijing Central Axis highlights a continuous narrative within Chinese civilization, showcasing preserved relics from the 13th century, the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as early 21st-century developments like the renovated Yongdingmen. It is a testament to the persistence of Chinese cultural values and urban planning ideologies.
The site meets the World Heritage Value Criteria, offering unique, or at least special, insights into past civilizations. The Beijing Central Axis stands as a prime example that encourages mutual understanding between China and various cultures, elevating global recognition of Chinese civilization.
The process of applying for the Beijing Central Axis to be recognized as a world heritage site is innovative and may set a precedent for future heritage application methods worldwide.
**Interviewer:** With 59 world heritage sites, how can we ensure the sustainable development of cultural heritage?
**Lv Zhou:** Today, discussions about world or cultural heritage extend beyond mere preservation; they explore how these sites can create contemporary value. Following the inclusion of the Beijing Central Axis and other sites on the World Heritage List, General Secretary Xi Jinping underscored the need to enhance the transmission and application of cultural and natural heritage so that it thrives in this new era and better meets peoples’ desires for a higher quality of life.
From a world heritage perspective, we must investigate how these sites can contribute to achieving sustainable development goals. China’s world heritage locations, as some of its most significant assets, play pivotal roles in local sustainable development.
During the application for the Beijing Central Axis, engaging the community in promoting its significance and managing its protection showcased Beijing’s potential for innovation as a “City of Design.” Incorporating historical culture into modern life deepens our understanding of cultural heritage, bolstering social cohesion and significantly advancing sustainable development in Beijing.
This sense of cohesion was also evident during the application for “Gulangyu: Historic International Community,” which was added to the World Heritage List in 2017. This site’s nomination was part of a local cultural revival, promoting community solidarity.
Thus, for effective local sustainable development, governments should take a leading role while fostering widespread societal involvement to maximize the value of world and cultural heritage.
**Interviewer:** Have the concepts and models for world heritage protection changed in China and globally over the years? How should international cooperation unfold?
**Lv Zhou:** Globally, we see a continuous exploration of heritage protection, particularly a shift from mere preservation to promoting sustainable social development and participation.
Initially established in the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the primary goal was to safeguard heritage threatened by natural and human-made disasters and to create a global protection framework. By the 1990s, the importance of respecting cultural diversity while protecting heritage became increasingly clear. In the 21st century, sustainable development emerged as a central theme.
Over the past decade, there has been a notable increase in attention to sustainable development. For instance, in 2012, the city of Vigan in the Philippines received the “World Heritage Management Best Practice Award” for its effective management of heritage with limited resources, involving local communities and employing sustainable protection strategies.
Moreover, sites like the rice terrace landscapes in China, the Philippines, and Indonesia have significantly impacted local sustainable development. Regions celebrated for wine, such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne in France, as well as vineyard areas in Italy and Colombia’s coffee zone, serve as world heritage sites that underscore sustainable industry development. Urban heritage like the Beijing Central Axis profoundly shapes local urban development.
In line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the “Transforming Our World: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” UNESCO has developed corresponding cultural development indicators. World heritage significantly contributes to achieving these indicators, spurring discussions around how heritage can effectively facilitate sustainable development.
Since joining the Convention in December 1985, China has successfully nominated 59 world heritage sites since 1987. Through this journey, China’s understanding and approach to heritage protection have continuously evolved—from a focus on individual historical monuments to a principle emphasizing comprehensive integrity that considers surrounding natural, cultural, and historical contexts.
Today, China boasts robust capabilities in world heritage management. Transitioning from a recipient of aid to a provider of technological support, China offers valuable expertise to other nations in their heritage protection efforts.
These initiatives have enhanced mutual understanding and strengthened international cooperation. Protecting our shared heritage is essential for civilizational understanding, respect, dialogue, and collaboration—it plays a vital role in building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Today, there is a strong emphasis on the interplay between urban heritage protection and sustainable development. The Beijing Central Axis has significantly contributed to reviving cultural heritage. The experiences gained from managing and preserving the Beijing Central Axis and the historical city of Beijing are invaluable and can serve as references for countries around the globe.
