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During her visit to China, the Director-General met with the Governor of Shaanxi Province and praised Chinese archaeologists, historians and scientific experts for their commitment to safeguarding the heritage of a province considered to be the starting point of the Silk Road.

She conferred to Governor Mr Lou Qinjian the certificate for the «Silk Roads: Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor», inscribed on the World Heritage List in June 2014. Submitted by China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the inscription consists of 33 components, including 22 from China.

She underlined that the Silk Roads carry an important message of building peace through mutual cultural enrichment and learning. Mr Lou affirmed his province's commitment to heritage preservation and environmental protection.

She also had the opportunity to exchange further with experts on the challenges of heritage protection in a province where 13 Chinese dynasties established their capital over more than 1,000 years. 

At the Institute of Archaeology, the Director of the Cultural Relics Bureau Mr Zhao Rong  affirmed that protection rather than systematic excavation was the chief concern. Thanking UNESCO for guidance and support, the Director of the Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum Mr Hou Ningbin indicated that the institution works with local communities and businesses in safeguarding ancient burial sites.

The Director-General expressed appreciation to the experts she met for their professional dedication to protect treasures that must be passed onto future generations for the benefit of all humanity.