By Zhong Ziwei and Liu Xiaoyu

FUZHOU, July 16 (People’s Daily) -- On the evening of July 16, 2021, the extended 44th session of the World Heritage Committee kicked off in Fuzhou, Fujian Province. This is the first time in UNESCO’s history that World Heritage topics will be reviewed and discussed online, which will focus on the challenges and risks facing World Heritage conservation. The session will pool the ideas and wisdom of the participants, reach new consensus and put forward new initiatives to address future challenges, work hard to meet the strategic goals in the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and achieve the balanced and sustainable development of World Heritage properties.

Mr. Tian Xuejun, chairperson of the extended 44th session of the World Heritage Committee, said that the current session held from July 16 to July 31, 2021 would be an extended one to evaluate the World Heritage projects for both 2020 and 2021, including 45 agenda items for the World Heritage List and 258 reports on the state of conservation of the World Heritage properties. In addition, various lists including the World Heritage List are expected to see important updates. “Quanzhou: China’s World Ocean Trade Center in Song Dynasty (960-1279) and Yuan Dynasty (1271—1368)”, China’s UNESCO World Cultural Heritage application project, will be reviewed at this session. A series of supporting activities and side events will be held during the session.

During this session, Fuzhou will display its profound culture and rich cultural heritage with a brand-new look. In recent years, Fuzhou has continuously carried out contiguous protection and restoration of cultural heritage across the city, and successively repaired more than 180 major cultural relics and more than 1,300 historic ancient buildings.