China pledges to boost heritage protection cooperation

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A senior cultural official said China should shoulder more responsibility for world heritage protection and promoting international cooperation.

With more inscriptions, comes greater responsibility and more duties, said Liu Yuzhu, head of China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage on Sunday.

Liu's remark came after the country's Gulangyu historic international settlement was added to UNESCO's world heritage list on Saturday.

Sunlight Rock Temple towards the rising sun on Gulangyu Island, Xiamen, Fujian Province. /Cultural Heritage Conservation Center of THAD Photo

China will work closely with international organizations, promote the protection of world heritage and share its experiences and continue its participation in the practices of world heritage protection, including international protection of Cambodia's Angkor Wat and helping Nepal restore a temple in Kathmandu's Durbar Square, according to Liu.

Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple complex is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia and the largest religious monument in the world. China has joined international efforts to help safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings. /Reuters Photo

Liu also pledged further coordination and cooperation in protecting heritage sites with countries along the ancient Silk Road, the south Asia silk road and the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

In addition, Liu called for calm among Chinese regarding successful inscriptions, as the country still faces many problems in supervising, protecting and managing the heritage.

We should focus on improving our management, protection and preservation work, Liu added.

Gulangyu is the 52nd Chinese site inscribed on the list.

(Source: Xinhua)