Teamwork urged to protect Asian heritage

More Asian nations are welcome to join hands with China in preserving regional cultural heritage to promote the inheritance and prosperity of the entire Asian civilization, China's envoy to Malaysia said.

"China has always been committed to fostering mutual understanding, respect, and trust among nations. It supports the communication between different civilizations," Ambassador Ouyang Yujing said in an interview with China Daily.

China and Malaysia have a long history of cultural exchanges and deep-rooted ties, which have resulted in fruitful cooperation in cultural heritage, said Ouyang.

For example, the Wangchuan ceremony, jointly nominated by China and Malaysia, was inscribed to the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list in 2020.

According to the UNESCO lists, the Wangchuan ceremony and related practices are rooted in folk customs of worshipping. Developed in China's Minnan region between the 15th and 17th centuries, the element is now centered in the coastal areas of Xiamen Bay and Quanzhou Bay, as well as in the Chinese communities in Melaka, Malaysia.

"This is a successful practice and a typical example of transnational inscription by Asian countries," said Ouyang, adding that China and Malaysia have been maintaining close communication in establishing follow-up protection mechanisms to better protect and promote the cultural heritage.

In addition, the two countries agreed to jointly nominate the lion dance, a well-known ancient art form, for UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list after a visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Malaysia in June.

As China and Malaysia celebrates the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations, China Daily and newspaper alliance Asia News Network held on Sept 5 a "Forum on Cultural Heritage Conservation" in Malaysia. Think tank KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific co-organized the event.

Ouyang said he hopes such a platform can encourage deeper exchanges in cultural heritage preservation and inheritance among various countries for shared heritage and shared future.

"The cultural heritage of the Chinese diaspora in Malaysia has become a bridge of China-Malaysia friendship, playing an indispensable role in cultural exchange and cultural heritage cooperation," said Ouyang, noting that it is also a vivid example of the spread and integration of the Chinese culture along the Maritime Silk Road route.

"I believe that in the future, the Chinese cultural heritage will continue to play a crucial role in the amicable exchanges and cooperation between China and Malaysia, further enhancing the bilateral relationship," the envoy said.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The ambassador said China is looking forward to cooperating with different countries on multilateral platforms to jointly promote the preserving of cultural heritage.

In a reception held on Sept 13 by the Chinese embassy in Malaysia to celebrate the founding anniversary, Ouyang said China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, promotes the building of a community of a shared future for mankind, and proposed frameworks such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the global initiatives in development, security and civilization.

The Global Civilization Initiative, put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2023, advocates mutual respect and mutual learning among different cultures, drawing positive response from the international community.

Later in the same year, the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia, an organization initiated by China and joined by over 20 Asian countries, was officially established, marking the only intergovernmental organization for implementing Asian cultural heritage activities.

Malaysia has expressed its willingness to become a member, according to Ouyang,

"We hope to see more Asian nations engage in the preservation of cultural heritage, fostering deeper people-to-people exchange and jointly promoting the inheritance and prosperity of Asian civilizations," said Ouyang.

With its long history, China has 43 elements inscribed on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list, ranking first in the world.

Noting that cultural heritage protection and inheritance requires a systematic approach, Ouyang said China has been continuously making efforts to improve relevant work, including enhancing archaeological research, improving museum access, fostering innovation, strengthening legislation, cultivating professional talent, and engaging the public.