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Representatives at World Heritage Committee Commend Chinese Contributions to WHITR-AP
  PublishDate:2008-07-17  Hits:2331
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Quebec Consultation

On the afternoon of July 5, at the Consultation Conference during the 32nd World Heritage Committee in Quebec, Canada, the Chinese delegation made a report on the newly established WHITR-AP and its activities to 150 representatives from the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, UNESCO WHC, and other organizations. The report was met with high approval.

The Chinese Vice-minister of Education Mr. Zhang Shenxing first thanked UNESCO WHC and other international organizations for supporting WHITR-AP. He gave the delegates an overview of how the Sichuan Earthquake affected the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, the Dujiang Irrigation System, and other heritages in the disaster area. Mr. Zhang also outlined the rapid and effective response of the Chinese government to the crisis. He expressed his gratitude towards UNESCO WHC for providing technical assistance in the evaluation and reconstruction, as well as needed funds.

The representative from WHITR-AP secretariat, Prof. Cai Mantang, reported on the institute's major activities and key points in future plans, and plans for further cooperation in the Asia and Pacific region. He welcomed constructive criticism and suggestions. Ms. Kong Ping spoke on how WHITR-AP (Shanghai) immediately reacted in the aftermath of the Sichuan Earthquake to salvage the damaged world heritages, plan their reconstruction and heritage restoration as well as conservation. Their efforts were commended. In conclusion, China's permanent delegate to UNESCO Ms. Shi Shuyun announced the start of a scholarship project for the developing countries in the Asia and Pacific region.

The Chair of the 32nd Session of the World Heritage Committee, Canadian Ms. Christina Cameron, congratulated WHITR-AP for achieving so much in such a short time span. Mr. Francesco Bandarin, Director of the World Heritage Centre, was glad to see that the Chinese government had given support and attention to the newly formed institute. Director-General of International Centre for the Study of the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (ICCROM), Mr. Mounir Bouchenaki, Head of the Protected Areas Programme with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Mr. David Sheppard, as well as other notable persons agreed that the establishment and operation of the institute are landmarks in the history of world heritage cooperation, and that China has not only helped preserve its own heritages but that of other nations as well. The President of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Prof. Michael Petzet, especially emphasized the importance of skilled artisans in preservation work. He cited how WHITR-AP (Suzhou) set up a training program for such artisans, and expressed his hope that the program will be of even more use in the future.

Other representatives from countries in the Asia and Pacific Region expressed their own views and expectations for the institute's future development. The delegation from Malaysia encouraged the institute to use experts and resources in ASEAN Countries, thus strengthening cooperation ties. Japan, Kyrgyzstan, and Sri Lanka admired the preservation efforts of WHITR-AP while pledging to further cooperate and to help improve the protection and management of heritages in the Asia and Pacific region. Representatives from other areas gave suggestions and comments as well. Hungary's delegate noted with pleasure that the presence of young people like Mr. Cai and Ms. Kong PhD. was indicative of how China put an emphasis on involving the younger generations and NGOs in heritage preservation. The Canadian representative stated that the center was a model to learn from, having successfully combined natural and cultural heritages, theory and practice, research and training. Morocco, representing the Arab states, said that China had set an example for the entire world.
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