Rediscovering the Silk Road: A shared heritage, a shared future

Editor's note: Min Rui is a culture journalist and a special commentator for CGTN. The following commentary reflects her personal views.

An ancient Chinese saying goes, "By studying the past, we can understand the rise and fall of nations."

From the echoes of camel bells along the Silk Road to the present-day collaborations in archaeology, heritage preservation, digital restoration, and museum exhibitions, China and the five Central Asian countries are jointly composing a new chapter in the story of the Silk Road, with shared values and renewed cultural bonds.

The Silk Road was never just a trade route. It was a bridge of civilizations linking Chang'an and Samarkand, where diverse cultures, languages, and faiths met and mingled. That spirit of connection continues to resonate today.

Building a lasting framework for cultural cooperation

In 2021, China and four Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan - signed the first Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) agreement dedicated to protecting cultural heritage. Two years later in 2023, China and all five Central Asian countries jointly established the Silk Road Archaeological Cooperation and Research Center in Xi'an.

These milestones have laid a solid foundation for deeper collaboration — from museum partnerships to joint initiatives against the illicit trafficking of cultural relics. As a result, cultural exchange has evolved from symbolic gestures into structured, long-term commitments.

World heritage applications: Writing history together

In 2014, China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan successfully inscribed the "Silk Roads: Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor" on the UNESCO World Heritage List - marking the first transnational nomination under the Belt and Road Initiative. Today, China is actively supporting the ongoing nomination of the "Fergana-Syr Darya Corridor," continuing this spirit of regional cooperation.

But World Heritage recognition is more than a badge of honor - it is a shared promise to tell stories and safeguard our past. China works closely with its neighbors to jointly manage and protect these cultural sites, offering training programs and reporting mechanisms to ensure the benefits of heritage preservation are shared by all.

Joint archaeology: Uncovering the past together

Since 2016, Chinese institutions have partnered with their Central Asian counterparts on over 10 archaeological projects across Uzbekistan and neighboring regions.

From the ruins of ancient Samarkand to the cultural layers of Kashkadarya, these joint efforts have unearthed relics from the Kangju, Yuezhi, and Kushan civilizations - shedding new light on the region’s rich and complex early history.

Yet archaeology here is more than a scientific pursuit - it is a bridge of understanding that fosters dialogue, builds trust, and deepens cultural ties through the shared exploration of the past.

Exhibitions: Letting relics speak the past story

In 2024, Kazakhstan's heritage took center stage at Tianjin Museum in north China with "The Golden Warrior and the Fertile Grasslands" exhibition, featuring 185 relics and replicas from Kazakhstan. Each object quietly served as a silent ambassador, reminding us how deeply our histories are intertwined.

A shared road ahead

Although ancient, the message of the Silk Road remains profoundly relevant. In a world often divided by geopolitical tensions and civilizational narratives, China and Central Asia are choosing a different path — one of exchange over division, and cooperation over confrontation.

These nations demonstrate that cultural heritage is a source of collective strength, not a zero-sum game, by sharing relics and historic sites and creating enduring partnerships. Their efforts embody the spirit of the Global Civilization Initiative and quietly yet powerfully advance the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping once noted, "Civilizations grow through exchange and flourish through mutual learning." Along this revitalized Silk Road, China and Central Asia are walking  hand in hand toward a future that honors history, embraces diversity, and fosters lasting trust.

The Silk Road is more than a memory; its ancient light continues to guide the way forward.