Raphael Oni, Foreign Journalist
Nestled in the vast expanse of China’s Gobi Desert, the ancient city of Dunhuang stands as a testament to the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage. As foreign journalists, we had the privilege of exploring this historic city, uncovering its secrets, and discovering the efforts being made to preserve its timeless beauty. Our journey began at the Dunhuang Bookstore, where we found a treasure trove of books written about this fascinating city.
As we delved deeper into the city, we learned about the importance of preserving World Heritage sites. In 1972, the UNESCO Congress of the World Convention on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage recognized the need to protect and promote these irreplaceable treasures. China, with its long ancient civilization, has been a key player in this effort, with 59 cultural and natural relics listed on the United Nations World Heritage List since joining the Convention in 1985.
Our visit coincided with the activities of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Cities Media Alliance, a pioneering media organization dedicated to promoting and protecting World Heritage sites. Founded in 2014 in Dunhuang, the alliance has grown to include 40 media partners from domestic and international World Heritage cities, including Australia, Macao of China, and several Chinese cities.
Through our interactions with the alliance’s members, we gained insight into their mission to advocate for heritage protection, disseminate its value, promote heritage cities, and develop the heritage alliance. Over the past nine years, the alliance has made significant strides in promoting cultural and natural heritage, including the formulation of a charter, cooperation agreements, and the Dunhuang Declaration.
As we concluded our visit to Dunhuang, we were struck by the city’s timeless beauty and the importance of preserving its cultural and natural heritage. The World Cultural and Natural Heritage Cities Media Alliance’s efforts serve as a shining example of the power of collaboration and dedication to protecting our shared cultural and natural treasures. As foreign journalists, we felt inspired by the experience and committed to sharing the story of Dunhuang and its rich heritage with the world.
