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Xi Visits France: A look at UNESCO's Efforts in Promoting World Heritage Sites
2024-05-09 ICCSD

UNESCO aims to promote world peace and security through education, arts, sciences and culture.

Here big decisions are made on the nomination and determination of historical landmarks, natural sites and living heritage that could bring protection, investment, and sometimes a big boost in tourism.

Its heritage program might not have started until 1972, but now close to twelve hundred UNESCO world heritage sites exist with UNESCO biosphere reserves in 131 countries that cover six percent of the earth's surface.

From the Pyramids in Giza, the Taj Mahal in India, to the Acropolis in Athens and the Palace of Versailles just outside Paris, UNESCO has made its mark.

China is second only to Italy, with 57 UNESCO World Heritage sites, among them are the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Warriors.

There are numerous other sites on UNESCO's "tentative list" too, awaiting heritage status, like the Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountains where Pu'er tea comes from, a site developed over a thousand years ago.

Or the Quánzhōu, a vibrant maritime emporium during the Song and Yuan Dynasties from the 10th-14th centuries. The site includes religious buildings like the 11th century AD Qingjing Mosque, Islamic tombs, pagodas, ancient inscriptions and an advanced transportation network system.

Just a few of China's marvels waiting to join the list.

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