Symposium explores photography's role in preserving 20th-century architecture

Jin Lei, the committee's deputy director and secretary-general, moderated the conference and stressed the significant role of photography in communicating the value of architectural heritage.

"To promote great architecture, we need high-quality images," he said.

"Concise and easy-to-read architectural photography not only documents and interprets buildings but can also resonate with a wide audience, helping to revive architectural heritage and raise public awareness."

In the past decade, the committee, China's largest academic organization dedicated to researching and promoting 20th-century architectural heritage, has selected 1,000 architectural works from around the country in 10 rounds. These buildings have been granted heritage status for exemplifying China's modernization and showcasing the ingenuity of Chinese architects.

Jin also revealed that the committee is curating a photography exhibition on China's 20th-century architectural heritage, which will open early next year in Beijing and then travel to eight other cities, including Chongqing, Changchun, Wuhan and Shenzhen.