On Friday, the 2025 General Assembly of the RCEP Member States World Heritage Cooperation Alliance (RCEP–WHCA) kicked off in Huangshan city, east China’s Anhui Province.  

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership World Heritage Cities Alliance (RCEP-WHCA) was jointly launched by heritage site representatives from six RCEP member countries, namely China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam, in Huangshan in June 2025. 

Peter Semone, Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), emphasized that RCEP–WHCA provides a vital platform bridging borders, disciplines, and sectors to exchange knowledge, build capacity, and develop innovative models for conservation and sustainable tourism.

"Together, we can ensure that the cultural and natural wonders of the Asia Pacific continue to inspire, educate, and sustain for centuries to come," he added.

Home to 178 World Heritage sites (117 cultural, 51 natural and 10 mixed), RCEP member countries possess global cultural and natural treasures that serve as vital platforms for regional civilizational exchanges and economic empowerment.  The event aims to advance the Huangshan Initiative launched this June and to establish a cross-sector, interdisciplinary platform for international cooperation in the protection, inheritance and promotion of World Heritage sites. 

The conference also seeks to raise the global profile of RCEP heritage sites and expand opportunities for cultural and tourism development.

Keynote speeches were delivered by representatives from UNESCO, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and other international bodies. Ten heritage management organizations from Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand and China shared best practices in conservation, research, governance and community engagement.

The event also promoted the flow of technology, capital and talent among RCEP heritage sites. Cooperation agreements were signed between Huangshan (Anhui, China) and Ha Long Bay (Vietnam), Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area (Sichuan, China), and between Tunxi Old Street (Anhui, China) and the Historic City of Malacca (Malaysia), enhancing collaboration in heritage protection, capacity building, and international promotion.

To strengthen international partnerships, RCEP–WHCA also signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with global organizations, including PATA and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

Ding Chun, Secretary of the CPC Huangshan Municipal Committee, attended the opening ceremony, while He Yi, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Huangshan Municipal Committee and Mayor of Huangshan City, delivered the welcome address. 

A total of 180 representatives from heritage management institutions, research and monitoring bodies, cultural and tourism service agencies, and international organizations across 15 RCEP member countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, participated.