www.chnpress.comThe The international symposium on application for world heritage listing of the Silk Road was held in Xian, China from 30-31st of October 2007.
It was organized jointly by ICOMOS, the Chinese State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Shaanxi province People’s Government and Xi’an Municipal People’s Government, with support from the World Heritage Center.
The symposium introduced the cultural heritage feature of the Silk Road and the concepts and methods of transnational united application for world registration of Silk Road.
In addition to the Silk Road, the relevant concept for world heritage nomination of cultural heritage sites located along the Silk Road, as well as the principles, techniques and problems for their conservation and management were also discussed during the symposium.
According to the world heritage committee of UNESCO, the aim of this symposium was to provide training opportunities for experts and technical consultants from China and Central Asian countries on the application of the Silk Road World Heritage nomination.
Chinese heritage experts and officials have selected an initial list of 48 sites along the country’s sections of the ancient Silk Road for its application with five Central Asian countries for world cultural heritage status.
According to Lu Qiong, a Chinese official with the State Cultural Heritage Administration, the preliminary list still needs further discussion by experts and final approval from the administration before submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Center.
The 2000-year-old Silk Road a main trade route linking Asia and Europe, began from Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, and ended in Europe via southern and central Asia countries.
A blueprint was made between the five central Asian countries including China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan in August 2006 to apply to include historical sites along the Silk Road for world registration. Based on initial agreements, a preliminary list of 54 sites has been selected by the five countries which is expected to be submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Center in early 2009.
Based on a memorandum of understanding ratified earlier between Iran and China, Iran is also intending to prepare the ground for world registration of the Silk Road and participate in this joint project.
Trade on the Silk Road was a significant factor in the development of the great civilizations of China, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, the Indian subcontinent, and Rome, and helped to lay the foundations for the modern world. By playing a key role in the Silk Road, Iran made great contribution to the booming of silk trade and its export to the West.
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