Baiheliang, literally the "White Crane Ridge," is a 1,600-meter-long and 15-meter-wide stone ridge engraved with inscriptions about the Yangtze River dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). [Photo/Xinhua]

The project for the serial nomination of Baiheliang in China's Chongqing and Raoudha Nilometer in Egypt's Cairo for World Cultural Heritage status is progressing steadily, with the cooperation framework between China and Egypt (in the preliminary stage) now in its final stages of completion, experts said at an academic symposium held on Saturday in Chongqing's Fuling district.

Baiheliang, or the White Crane Ridge, is a giant stone ridge located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (Fuling section). The ancient Chinese used stone-carved fish images as measuring tools and inscriptions as written records to monitor and document water levels. The site, used from 763 AD to 1963, is believed to be the world's most ancient hydrographic survey station.

The nilometer is an Egyptian invention designed to gauge the water levels of the Nile River. The Raoudha Nilometer in Cairo, constructed in 715 AD, stands as a prominent example of this technology.

Last year, Chongqing and Cairo initiated joint efforts to seek UNESCO World Cultural Heritage recognition for their respective sites.

However, the concept of hydrological landscapes, as a relative new idea, still necessitates comprehensive thematic research and further efforts to attain international recognition within academic spheres, according to director of the China World Cultural Heritage Center of Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage Zhao Yun during the symposium.

She also noted the coordination challenges associated with the protection, management and study of cross-continent cultural heritage require the implementation of mechanisms and measures to guarantee their safeguarding.

The symposium, which centered on the heritage value, conservation and inheritance of Baiheliang and Raoudha Nilometer, drew hydrological heritage experts and international cultural heritage experts from home and abroad. This gathering is a part of the 2024 Baiheliang Tourism and Culture Festival, which kicked off on Friday night in Fuling.

"We are pleased to have observed the joint efforts of the Baiheliang of China and the Nilometer of Egypt, two exemplary hydrological heritage sites, in advancing their serial nomination for World Cultural Heritage. This represents both an international dialogue in heritage safeguarding and an innovative approach to international cooperation on world heritage," said Shahbaz Khan, director and representative of UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia in a video speech at the opening ceremony of the festival.

The festival not only showcased the unique charm of the Baiheliang inscriptions, but also deepened the cooperation between Egypt and China in the fields of cultural heritage protection and cultural exchange, said Ambassador of Egypt to China Assem Hanafi at the event.

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