China and South Asia's "Generation Z" Discussing World Heritage Protection in Kunming

On November 18, the "Explore Yunnan, Discover South Asia" Gen Z Dialogue onWorld Heritage Salon was held in Kunming. Representatives from China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, all part of Generation Z, offered suggestions on world heritage protection, exchange, and cooperation.

This event was part of the series of activities for the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024, which opened on the same day. It was organized by Yunnan Branch of China News Service (Beijing) International Communication Group Co., Ltd., with support from the Yunnan Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, Yunnan University, Yunnan Normal University, the Institute of South Asian Studies at Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, and the Dehong Prefectural Committee of the Communist Youth League of China.

Kishor Shrestha, Editor-in-Chief of Nepal's Jana AasthaWeekly and Chairman of the Nepal-China Media Forum, delivered a video address. He mentioned that Nepal boasts a wealth of world heritage sites, including the Kathmandu Valley, Sagarmatha National Park, Chitwan National Park, and Lumbini. Protecting these world heritage sites is a collective responsibility that requires the involvement of governments, media, and international partners. He specifically noted that the8.1 magnitude earthquake in Nepal in 2015 caused significant damage. International support played a crucial role in reconstruction efforts, such as the restoration of the nine-story temple complex in Kathmandu Durbar Square with assistance from the Chinese government. India, Sri Lanka, and the United States also participated in various restoration projects.

"World heritage is a collective testament to human creativity, resilience, and diversity, and it is currently facing threats from climate change and rapid urbanization," said Muhammad Asif Noor, Director of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, Islamabad, Pakistan. In his view, the media, as the eyes and ears of society, plays a critical role in protecting world heritage. The media has the ability to provide information, education, and inspiration, mobilizing more people to take action in conservation efforts.

He Shulin, a representative from P&M Bureau of W.C.H-Old Town of Lijiang, shared the administration's experience in protecting the World Cultural Heritage site of Lijiang Ancient City. She explained that through scientific protection, management, and monitoring over the past 30 years, the authenticity and integrity of Lijiang Ancient City have been effectively preserved, and local culture has been vigorously promoted. Additionally, Lijiang Ancient City has embraced the trend of the information age, achieving a fusion of "culture, tourism and technology." Heritage experts unanimously agree that the "Lijiang Model" provides new experience for world heritage protection driving tourism and for tourism development feeding back into heritage protection, hence setting new standards for heritage protection and utilization.

The young representatives from participating countries unanimously agreed that world heritage protection requires cross-border communication and cooperation, and that young people should take the lead in this responsibility.

Moond Ekta, an Indian student at Yunnan Normal University, said that the Taj Mahal in India is threatened by air pollution, leading to discoloration and deterioration of the marble. To address this issue fundamentally, a joint effort from the government, local communities, and international organizations is needed to gather sufficient resources, knowledge, and technology for effective protection measures, she pointed out.

"Cultural exchange is also essential to world heritage protection," said Thushie Movindahara Karunarathna, a Sri Lankan student at Yunnan Normal University. She noted that people from different countries can enhance mutual understanding and learning by visiting and exchanging ideas about each other's world heritage sites, thereby improving protection efficiency.

LiuKaylyn Yiping, an Indian student at Yunnan University, proposed that for world heritage to achieve sustainable development, the balance between protection and development must be maintained. Moreover, protection should not only focus on physical sites but also on their deeper cultural and ecological significance.

"South Asian countries and China both have rich and diverse historical cultures, providing valuable opportunities for cooperation and exchange in cultural heritage protection,"saidKarki Rajan, a Nepalese student at Yunnan University. He suggested strengthening multilateral and bilateral cooperation through resource sharing, community training, cultural heritage management, and art restoration to collectively address the challenges posed by urbanization, tourism development, and climate change.

At the event, Miao Chao, a journalist from China News Service (CNS), and Wang Yongcheng, chairman of Yunnan Shanpin Culture and Art Co., Ltd., shared their experience in media reporting and the development of cultural and creative products.

As a CNS correspondent based in Yunnan, Miao Chao has frequently visited Jingmai Mountain to report on the entire process of the application for the world's first tea-themed world cultural heritage site—the Pu'er Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest Cultural Landscape. "We not only used our pens and cameras to provide comprehensive coverage of the people, events, objects, and principles of Jingmai Mountain, but also brought its stories to France, Belgium, Italy, Vietnam, and other countries," Miao said. He added that the ecological ethics and life wisdom formed over thousands of years on Jingmai Mountain, which promote harmony between humans and nature and among people, offer important insights for sustainable human development and coexistence of diverse cultures.

Based on years of practical experience, Wang Yongcheng shared that "cultural and creative transformation does not equate to productization; its core lies in culture plus creativity. The cultural and creative transformation of world heritage should achieve IPization, digitalization, personalization, and internationalization."

He Hongmei, director of the Institute of South Asian Studies at Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, summarized that youth dialogue helps facilitate international cooperation and exchange in world heritage protection. She particularly emphasized that "Generation Z," having grown up with the internet, possesses a more open mindset and diverse thinking, and will make greater contributions to cultural exchange.