China looks for collaboration to conserve Asian legacy

China hopes to team up with more Asian countries in preserving shared cultural heritage and advancing Asian civilization, Chang Shan, a senior Chinese diplomat, told a cultural forum in Selangor, Malaysia, on Thursday.

Chang, counselor of the Chinese embassy in Malaysia, also highlighted the accomplishments jointly achieved by China and Malaysia in protecting cultural property, which have strengthened people-to-people exchanges and friendships between the two nations.

During the forum, Chang spoke about China's dedication to international cultural heritage protection and the country's efforts to integrate domestic preservation efforts with global collaboration.

China's endeavors under the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, as well as its roles in the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia, stand as testimony to its commitment, Chang said.

The diplomat reaffirmed China's determination to promote transborder exchange and cooperation on cultural heritage protection in Asia, adding that the long-standing traditions of cultural exchanges among countries in the region make that possible.

"We sincerely welcome more Asian countries to join us in strengthening people-to-people ties and advancing Asian civilization," she said.

Chang also spoke about the successful collaboration between China and Malaysia in cultural heritage conservation, citing the "Wangchuan ceremony and related practices" as an example.

The ceremony — a blessing ritual originating in the southern part of Fujian province before spreading to Malaysia — was added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020, thanks to the efforts of both countries.

In June, Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited Malaysia to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Leaders of the two countries agreed to work together on the multinational nomination to inscribe the elements of the lion dance — a traditional Chinese dance in which performers imitate a lion's movements while wearing a lion costume — on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which Chang said marks a new practice in transborder cooperation on cultural heritage protection between China and Malaysia.

Chang expressed her belief that efforts in cultural heritage protection will continue to play an important role in facilitating people-to-people exchanges and fuel bilateral cooperation.