Core Viewpoint - The South Korean government urges Japan to fulfill its commitments regarding the historical acknowledgment of forced labor during the wartime period, particularly concerning Korean laborers, in light of Japan's recent report on Sado Gold Mine [1][2] Group 1: Japan's Report and Commitments - Japan submitted a report on the Sado Gold Mine to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which included eight recommendations for heritage protection, one of which explicitly requires Japan to present the complete historical context, including the forced labor of Koreans [1] - The report indicates that Japan only made minor improvements to the exhibition content related to Korean laborers at a local museum, failing to address the core issue of forced labor in the heritage site itself [1][2] Group 2: Historical Context and Labor Issues - During World War II, approximately 1,200 laborers from the Korean Peninsula were forcibly conscripted to work in the Sado Gold Mine under harsh conditions, leading to many suffering from diseases such as pneumoconiosis [2] - Japan had previously promised to hold memorial ceremonies for the victims of forced labor, but these events have faced disruptions due to Japan's ongoing denial of the historical facts surrounding forced labor [2]

Core Insights - China officially joined the "Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage" on December 12, 1985, and by July 12, 2025, the total number of World Heritage sites in China will reach 60, tying with Italy for the highest globally [1] - The 40th anniversary of China's accession to the World Heritage Convention was marked by a conference in Beijing, highlighting the achievements and future strategies for heritage protection [1] Group 1: Historical Context and Achievements - Since 1986, China has been submitting World Heritage site applications to UNESCO, with Beijing having eight sites, making it the city with the most World Cultural Heritage sites globally [3] - The eight sites in Beijing represent a comprehensive historical narrative, showcasing the evolution of Chinese civilization from ancient origins to modern urban planning [3] Group 2: Development Phases of Heritage Protection - The protection management of Beijing's World Heritage sites has evolved through four key phases: 1. Initial exploration (1985-1994) focused on emergency maintenance and foundational protection [4] 2. System construction (1995-2004) aimed at establishing a systematic management framework, leading to successful applications for additional sites [4] 3. Deepening enhancement (2005-2014) shifted focus to holistic protection, integrating cultural and ecological considerations [4] 4. Development and innovation (2015-2024) emphasizes sustainable development and collaborative management [5] Group 3: Current Management and Future Directions - A multi-layered legal framework supports heritage protection in Beijing, with dedicated management institutions and cross-departmental cooperation [9] - From 2021 to 2024, approximately 9.4 billion RMB was invested in heritage management, with a significant annual growth rate, and the number of dedicated management personnel increased by 41% [9] - The launch of a monitoring and early warning platform marks a significant step towards digital and precise management of heritage sites [9] Group 4: Strategic Focus Areas - Future efforts will focus on balanced development of heritage sites, enhancing legal frameworks, and increasing technological investments for better protection and visitor experiences [10] - There will be an emphasis on articulating the universal value of heritage and engaging the public, especially youth, in heritage protection [10] - Strengthening international cooperation and sharing Beijing's experiences in heritage protection will be prioritized [10]

Core Points - The "World Heritage in Beijing" cultural event will take place from November 17 to November 30, 2025, at the Summer Palace, celebrating the 40th anniversary of China's accession to the World Heritage Convention [1] - The event will feature the "World Heritage in Beijing" 2025 International Comic Exhibition, showcasing the vitality of Chinese civilization and world heritage through comic art [1] - The exhibition is organized by the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage and the Beijing Comic Association, aiming to promote cultural exchange, artistic innovation, and public participation [1] Summary by Categories - **Event Details** - The cultural event will be held in Beijing, which has the highest number of world heritage sites globally [1] - The comic exhibition will include over 3,000 comic works from 52 countries and regions [1] - **Exhibition Highlights** - A selection process by experts from the Beijing Comic Association and an international jury has resulted in over a hundred outstanding works being featured [1] - The showcased works will include various styles such as traditional ink painting and digital comics [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significance of China's 40-year journey in applying for World Heritage status, showcasing the protection of historical heritage and the responsibility towards future generations [2][4]. Group 1: World Heritage Application Journey - In 1987, China listed its first World Heritage sites, including the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, and has since reached a total of 60 sites, ranking second globally [1]. - The book "千山万水——中国申遗故事" outlines 11 representative cultural heritage sites, illustrating China's continuous cultural narrative over thousands of years [2]. Group 2: Cultural Heritage Protection - The article emphasizes the importance of systematic protection and unified supervision of cultural heritage as proposed in the 15th Five-Year Plan [2]. - Experts involved in the heritage application process share their experiences, highlighting the dedication and achievements in protecting world heritage [4][6]. Group 3: Case Studies of Heritage Sites - The Beijing Central Axis, which has been in the application process since 2012, exemplifies the deep exploration and interpretation of heritage value through rigorous documentation and expert discussions [5][6]. - Mount Lu, as China's first "cultural landscape" World Heritage site, showcases the interaction between humans and nature, reflecting the diversity of Chinese culture [7][8]. Group 4: Standards for World Heritage - The evaluation criteria for World Heritage status include authenticity, integrity, and good protection status, which are essential for the selection process [9]. - The Grand Canal is highlighted as a linear cultural heritage, emphasizing the need for community involvement in its protection and the importance of cultural continuity [9][10].

Core Insights - Suzhou's classical gardens are recognized as a significant part of China's cultural heritage, with a history dating back to the Spring and Autumn period, reaching their peak during the Ming and Qing dynasties [2] - The transition from "Hundred Gardens City" to "Garden City" reflects a shift in focus from the scale of garden protection to the sharing of these cultural assets with the public [3] - Suzhou has established a comprehensive garden protection system, including management regulations and a classification system, to ensure the preservation and accessibility of its gardens [2][3] Group 1: Historical Significance - Suzhou's gardens have been listed as World Heritage Sites, with nine classical gardens recognized for their design philosophy that promotes harmony between human habitation and nature [2] - The city has over 250 gardens recorded during the Ming and Qing periods, showcasing its historical importance in Chinese garden design [2] Group 2: Development Initiatives - The "Paradise Suzhou · Hundred Gardens City" initiative launched in 2015 aimed to systematically advance garden protection efforts, resulting in the completion of a three-year action plan for the restoration of 12 gardens [2] - As of recent years, 97 gardens have been opened to the public, achieving an 89.8% opening rate, allowing citizens to share in the preservation outcomes [2] Group 3: Future Directions - Suzhou plans to innovate protection models by integrating classical garden art with the "Park City" concept, promoting a cohesive urban and garden landscape [4] - The establishment of the World Cultural Heritage Classical Garden Protection and International Exchange Center aims to enhance international collaboration and elevate Suzhou's global profile [3][5] - Future efforts will focus on standardizing protection measures, enhancing management precision, and fostering international partnerships to revitalize Suzhou's gardens in modern society [5]

Core Points - The next Director-General candidate of UNESCO, Khaled El-Enany, emphasizes the importance of world heritage protection and expresses a desire for enhanced cooperation with China, which is a significant partner in this area [1] - El-Enany was the sole candidate nominated by the UNESCO Executive Board and is expected to be voted on by all member states on November 6, with a potential assumption of office in mid-November [1] - He has a long-standing respect for Chinese culture and supports China's global civilization initiative, highlighting the need for dialogue and exchange among nations [1] Group 1 - El-Enany's background includes over 30 years of teaching at Helwan University in Egypt, and if elected, he would be the first Director-General from an Arab country and the second from Africa [1] - He notes that global southern countries are increasingly active in global governance, contributing to multilateralism [2] - El-Enany advocates for UNESCO to evolve with the times, emphasizing the need for faster action, closer community engagement, and improved efficiency to adapt to future trends [2] Group 2 - He envisions UNESCO as an organization built on listening, cooperation, and unity, aiming to serve all people effectively [3]

Core Viewpoint - The 2025 Beijing Cultural Forum emphasizes the integration of culture and technology, aiming to promote cultural exchange and innovation globally [1] Group 1: Cultural Cooperation - Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin highlighted the strong cultural partnership between China and France, emphasizing the importance of culture in diplomatic relations [2] - The success of the 2024 China-France Cultural Tourism Year is cited as evidence of the deep-rooted cultural ties and mutual understanding between the two nations [2] - Future cultural cooperation will focus on areas such as cultural heritage protection and the film industry [2] Group 2: World Heritage and Digital Innovation - UNESCO World Heritage Centre Director Lazare Eloundou Assomo stated that China plays a leading role in digital innovation for world heritage protection [3][4] - The World Heritage List includes over 1,200 sites, covering more than 4.8 million square kilometers, showcasing human creativity and the relationship with nature [3] - Digital technologies are essential for recording, monitoring, and managing heritage sites, enhancing global cooperation [4] Group 3: National Cultural Center Initiatives - The "Ten Major Events for National Cultural Center Construction in 2024" were announced, including the establishment of the Xi Jinping Cultural Thought Research Center [6] - The first World Classical Studies Conference will deepen dialogue between civilizations and promote the significance of classical studies [7] - Beijing is set to create a new model for the protection of the Great Wall, emphasizing cultural heritage and its contemporary relevance [8] Group 4: Cultural Heritage and Tourism - The successful application of Beijing's Central Axis for World Heritage status reflects the implementation of Xi Jinping's cultural thought and contributes to global heritage protection [9] - The introduction of a "240-hour visa-free transit" policy has boosted international cultural tourism, enhancing Beijing's global competitiveness [10] - Archaeological breakthroughs at the Liuli River site provide significant insights into ancient Chinese civilization [11][12] Group 5: Cultural Innovation and Youth Engagement - The rise of "explosive cultural products" indicates a growing interest among young people in traditional Chinese culture [13] - The first International "Youth Poetry Conference" promotes cultural exchange among BRICS nations, showcasing Chinese poetry to the world [14] - The "Global Z Generation Tour in Beijing" aims to foster cross-cultural exchanges through innovative media expressions [15] Group 6: Technological Advancements in Culture - Beijing is implementing a pioneering plan for ultra-high-definition audiovisual technology, generating significant economic benefits and enhancing cultural and technological integration [16]

Core Points - The 47th World Heritage Conference successfully added the Xixia Tombs to the World Heritage List, marking China's 60th heritage project, which reflects international recognition of China's cultural heritage protection efforts [1] - The conference highlighted China's systematic governance model in cultural heritage protection, with four cultural heritage reports receiving approval, showcasing effective cross-regional and cross-departmental collaboration [2] - China hosted various side events during the conference, focusing on global issues such as archaeological heritage protection and cultural heritage digitization, demonstrating its role in fostering international dialogue and knowledge sharing [2][3] Group 1 - The successful inclusion of Xixia Tombs in the World Heritage List emphasizes China's significant role in the global heritage system [1] - The approval of reports on the protection status of four cultural heritage sites indicates the effectiveness of China's systematic governance model [2] - The establishment of a "mountain-sea-city" landscape protection system in Macau exemplifies innovative approaches to heritage management [2] Group 2 - The side events organized by China attracted global experts, indicating the strong appeal of the topics discussed and China's growing influence in the heritage field [3] - The discussions at the conference reflected global cultural hotspots, addressing how cultural heritage can serve contemporary life and respond to climate change [3] - The upcoming 2024 training session in China for Asian region world heritage pre-assessment highlights China's commitment to sharing knowledge and best practices [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the progress and achievements of China in the protection and management of world cultural and natural heritage over the past 40 years, emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage in promoting national identity and international cultural exchange [3][5][6]. Summary by Sections Achievements in Heritage Protection - China has significantly increased its number of world heritage sites, reaching a total of 60 by 2025, positioning itself among the leaders globally [3]. - The protection and management systems for cultural heritage have been improved, including the establishment of legal frameworks and management structures [5][6]. - A practical world cultural heritage monitoring system has been created, providing data support for heritage protection decisions since its launch in 2014 [6]. Public Engagement and Community Involvement - The application for heritage status has led to increased public awareness and participation in heritage protection efforts [5]. - Local communities are actively involved in the development of tourism around heritage sites, enhancing their income and employment opportunities [7]. Sustainable Development and Integration - The article stresses the need for sustainable development in heritage protection, integrating economic, environmental, and social aspects [7][11]. - It emphasizes that heritage protection should not only focus on technical aspects but also on social dimensions, ensuring that it benefits humanity as a whole [7][11]. Challenges and Recommendations - There are ongoing challenges in balancing heritage protection with development, particularly in addressing issues of disaster prevention and climate change [12][14]. - Recommendations include enhancing legislative frameworks, improving management capabilities, and utilizing advanced technologies for heritage protection [10][12][14]. Future Directions - The article calls for a shift from quantity to quality in heritage management, focusing on comprehensive value realization and public service [11][14]. - It advocates for a holistic approach to heritage utilization, ensuring that protection and use are complementary rather than opposing [13][14].

Group 1 - The 47th World Heritage Conference recognized the "Hangzhou Urban Studies Project for World Heritage Protection" as the "Exploration Star Award" for the 2025 Global World Heritage Education Innovation Case Award, selected from over 150 global entries [1] - The conference focused on the integration of heritage education and technological innovation, establishing a global network for heritage education innovation [1][2] - The award is a recognition of the city's efforts in promoting urban renewal and cultural heritage education, aligning with national urban work conference directives [2] Group 2 - The city has developed a comprehensive research network for world heritage protection, including the establishment of various research centers and the publication of over 700 volumes related to Hangzhou's cultural heritage [2] - Future plans include deepening international cooperation and providing replicable "Chinese solutions" for global heritage education, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development for heritage sites [3]