Core Points - Guangzhou has officially issued the "Historical and Cultural City Protection Plan (2021-2035)" which serves as a top-level design and guiding document for the protection and inheritance of its historical culture [1] - The plan integrates national and regional development strategies, optimizing the five major historical cultural values and six major city characteristics, while enhancing the historical and cultural protection system [1][3] - The plan aims to incorporate historical and cultural heritage protection into urban and rural construction, creating a world-class city with classic charm and contemporary vitality by 2035 [1] Summary by Sections Historical and Cultural Values and City Characteristics - The five major historical cultural values identified include: 1. Political and military center of the Lingnan region and a gateway for foreign exchanges 2. A thousand-year-old commercial hub and an important birthplace of the Maritime Silk Road 3. A cultural center reflecting the diverse and unified characteristics of Chinese civilization 4. A frontline for anti-imperialism and anti-feudalism, and a source of democratic revolution 5. A pioneering city in modern development and a leader in reform and opening up [3][2] - The six major city characteristics include: 1. A town pattern interwoven with mountains, fields, and seas 2. An urban environment characterized by clouds, mountains, and rivers 3. An ancient city layout with a thousand-year continuity and layered culture 4. A commercial hub with distinctive architectural styles 5. A blend of Lingnan charm and Western architectural styles 6. An open and inclusive city with vibrant cultural heritage [2][3] Overall Structure and Protection Framework - The plan proposes a new spatial structure for cultural and ecological integration, termed "One River, One River, One City, Nine Districts," which includes the Pearl River cultural belt and the Liuxi River cultural belt [5][4] - The "One City, Nine Districts" concept integrates historical culture and natural ecological resources, forming a central urban area and nine scenic areas rich in resources [5][4] Heritage Protection and Expansion - The plan expands the scope of heritage protection to include agricultural, industrial, and water heritage, such as the Guangdong Lingnan lychee planting system and historical sites like Guanggang and Guangchuan [9][8] - It emphasizes the protection of 9,961 ancient trees and various historical sites, enhancing resource identification and protection efforts [9][8] Historical Urban Area Protection - The historical urban area covers 20.39 square kilometers, with specific protection requirements for historical docks and water systems [11][12] - The plan maintains the traditional urban structure of "One Ring, Two Axes, Multiple Veins, and Multiple Points," emphasizing the preservation of historical features [12][14] Cultural Network and Regional Cooperation - The plan establishes a cultural network system for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, highlighting Guangzhou's role as a cultural center [18][17] - It encourages cultural innovation and the development of creative industries, integrating modern creative sectors with historical cultural promotion [18][17]

Core Viewpoint - The approval of the "Guangzhou Historical and Cultural City Protection Plan (2021-2035)" marks a significant step in the top-level design and planning for the protection and inheritance of Guangzhou's historical culture, as it is recognized as one of the first batch of national historical and cultural cities by the State Council [1][2]. Group 1: Historical and Cultural Values - The plan identifies five major historical and cultural values of Guangzhou, including its role as a political and military center in the Lingnan region, a thousand-year-old commercial hub, a center of diverse Chinese civilization, a base for anti-imperialist and democratic movements, and a pioneer city in modern development and reform [1]. - Six distinctive features of the city are highlighted, such as its unique urban layout, natural environment, layered cultural history, commercial architecture, architectural styles blending Eastern and Western influences, and its open and inclusive cultural heritage [1]. Group 2: Protection and Development Strategies - The plan introduces a chapter on "Joint Protection and Coordinated Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," proposing the construction of a historical and cultural network system [2]. - It emphasizes the need for integrated protection of historical and natural heritage, proposing a structure of "One River, One River, One City, and Nine Districts" to enhance the spatial structure of historical cultural protection [2]. - The plan aims to mobilize social forces for comprehensive participation in the protection of historical and cultural resources, expanding public cultural spaces and innovating institutional frameworks [2].