Explore Gulangyu – China's 52nd UNESCO world heritage site
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E-mail CGTN, July 9, 2017
'Honor and responsibility'
Peng Zhaorong, a professor from Xiamen University, said that with the UNESCO cultural heritage status, Gulangyu will help promote China's maritime culture.
"Chinese culture has long been featured as an agricultural civilization. But in fact, marine civilization is also an important part of our culture and history. In this regard, Gulangyu will definitely enhance people's understanding of the island culture in China," Peng said.
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Aerial photo taken on June 26, 2017 shows historic buildings on the Gulangyu island, southeast China's Fujian Province. Gulangyu island, famous for its varied architecture and multicultural history, was included on the UNESCO World Heritage list Saturday. The 41st session of the World Heritage Committee on Saturday decided to put China's Gulangyu historic international settlement on the prestigious World Heritage List as a cultural site. So far, China has 52 sites inscribed to the List. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong) |
However, experts warn that better protection is urgent.
Every year, Gulangyu receives more than 10 million visitors. That poses heavy pressure on this small island, where ideally population flow would not exceed 25,000 per day.
Typhoons, fire hazards, pests and diseases are all threats to the more than 2,000 intact historical buildings on the island.
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Aerial photo taken on June 28, 2017 shows historic buildings on the Gulangyu island, southeast China's Fujian Province. Gulangyu island, famous for its varied architecture and multicultural history, was included on the UNESCO World Heritage list Saturday. The 41st session of the World Heritage Committee on Saturday decided to put China's Gulangyu historic international settlement on the prestigious World Heritage List as a cultural site. So far, China has 52 sites inscribed to the List. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong) |
"Better protection is what we want to achieve through the world heritage inscription," said Zheng Yilin, director of Gulangyu island management committee.
China's 30-year journey with UNESCO
This year marks the 30th anniversary of China's first inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Since 1987, when six Chinese sites were recognized as world heritage sites, China now has had 52 world heritage sites listed by UNESCO, more than any other country.
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