**Editor’s Note:** The 2024 Beijing Cultural Forum is set to take place from September 19 to 21 in Beijing. This year’s forum will continue the established theme of “Inheritance, Innovation, and Mutual Learning,” focusing specifically on “Deepening Cultural Exchange to Achieve Common Progress.” The guest list boasts over 800 attendees, including more than 240 international guests from over 70 countries and regions—a significant increase from last year. In conjunction with the event, China News Service’s “East-West Dialogue” column will kick off a series of interviews with experts and scholars from both domestic and international backgrounds starting September 16, aimed at sharing unique insights on cultural exchanges and fostering mutual understanding among civilizations.
**Interview Summary:**
**China News Service Reporter Xu Jing:** How will the designation of the Beijing Central Axis as a UNESCO World Heritage site benefit the city’s development? What makes it unique compared to the other seven World Heritage sites in Beijing?
**Yu Ping:** The Central Axis of Beijing, which stretches from south to north through the ancient city, was established in the 13th century and refined during the 16th century. It holds the title for the longest city axis in the world, measuring 7.8 kilometers from Yongdingmen to the Bell and Drum Towers. This linear heritage site presents distinct challenges related to its extensive and diverse preservation elements, setting it apart from the other World Heritage sites in Beijing.
The heritage area of the Central Axis covers 51.31 square kilometers and encompasses 65.6% of the old city, where ancient architecture coexists with residential and commercial spaces. Local biodiversity, including species like swifts and pigeons, enhances the area’s vibrancy. Recent restoration efforts have transformed several cultural relics into museums or cultural experience sites, along with community-oriented initiatives such as themed bookstores, cultural markets, and festivals that allow both locals and visitors to engage with history while enjoying the energy of contemporary urban life.
The approval of the “Beijing Urban Master Plan (2016-2035)” by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council in 2017 highlighted the Central Axis as a pivotal area for the capital’s political, cultural, and international interactions, reinforcing its importance for historical cultural heritage protection.
With its recent World Heritage status, the holistic preservation of the Central Axis has become essential in developing Beijing as a national cultural center. Our focus aligns with global heritage protection standards as we assess the historical values along the axis and coordinate local efforts to tackle various challenges—ensuring the safety of cultural relics, revitalizing the old city, and preserving intangible cultural heritage.
**China News Service Reporter:** Over the past twelve years since the Central Axis was added to the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list in 2012, what changes have you seen in its heritage components?
**Yu Ping:** The 2008 Beijing Olympics highlighted the Central Axis with 29 “firework footprints” during the opening ceremony, signaling a commitment to cultural heritage preservation. Following this, in 2012, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage officially included the “Beijing Central Axis” on the tentative list, with Beijing leading the initiative.
In the past twelve years, we’ve systematically protected 15 heritage components along the Central Axis. For instance, the Bell Tower’s recent renovations restored its historical appearance, while the “Stories of Time” exhibition inside utilizes digital technology to enhance visitor engagement with ancient timekeeping. These immersive experiences help make historical culture more relatable and accessible.
Additionally, the cultural services at the Bell and Drum Towers have innovated significantly. Previously unused spaces are now lively venues offering creative drinks and welcoming community gatherings, attracting both locals and tourists.
**China News Service Reporter:** Given that the heritage and buffer zones of the Central Axis span four districts, how do you maintain its unique characteristics while ensuring cohesion? How do you involve the public in heritage preservation?
**Yu Ping:** One key aspect of the Central Axis protection framework is the integration of regulations. The “Beijing Central Axis Cultural Heritage Protection Regulation” clarifies the relationship between the protection plan and other relevant plans, providing legal safeguards for the site’s authenticity and integrity. By following these regulations, we’ve harmonized protections across different heritage sites, using the World Heritage application to spur citywide progress.
Securing World Heritage status not only showcases ancient and modern China but also highlights international recognition of our preservation efforts, aligning with global interests in the harmonious coexistence of heritage and community.
Since October 2022, the emphasis has been on public participation and access rights within the “Beijing Central Axis Cultural Heritage Protection Regulation.” We actively engage local residents in discussions around environmental improvements and heritage management, fostering their understanding and support for preservation initiatives.
Engagement extends beyond local residents. Various sectors of society are also contributing; local parks, museums, and libraries are conducting exhibitions and educational activities to raise public awareness of the Central Axis. Moreover, a cultural heritage monitoring system encourages both domestic and international audiences to engage in oversight, ensuring ongoing dialogue about its preservation.
**China News Service Reporter:** With the Beijing Central Axis now recognized as a World Heritage site, what are your plans for sharing China’s story with the world?
**Yu Ping:** The latter part of the Beijing Central Axis’s UNESCO designation describes it as “a masterpiece of China’s ideal city order.” The Central Axis embodies traditional Chinese culture, philosophy, and aesthetics. To share these ideas globally, we need to express them in concrete and diverse manners.
Recently, initiatives such as the “Digital Night Watchman of the Beijing Central Axis” not only allow visitors to check in but also engage in monitoring heritage via an app, generating valuable data for preservation efforts. We are also leveraging AR technology to create immersive experiences, enabling users to explore the Central Axis at night through engaging narratives. An upcoming immersive exhibition will allow visitors to appreciate the architectural beauty and cultural depth of the Central Axis within just 45 minutes.
World heritage is a shared human legacy, and safeguarding it is a collective responsibility. As we strive to develop Beijing into a national cultural center, revitalizing the 700-year-old Central Axis will continue nourishing contemporary society. This newly recognized World Heritage site should foster connections, enrich experiences, promote respect for heritage, and inspire collective participation in preservation efforts.
**Respondent Profile:** Yu Ping is a government advisor in Beijing, a research curator, and the former deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau. With over 25 years of experience in heritage work, he has played a crucial role in significant cultural preservation projects and has been instrumental in shaping regulations for the protection of the Central Axis.
