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The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation celebrated the achievements of Awards winners of 2021 to 2022 from China at a special Awards ceremony and accompanying seminar, in Beijing, on 11 and 12 November 2023.

Organized by UNESCO in collaboration with Southeast University and the Beijing Cultural Relics Protection Association (BCRPA)¡ªwith support provided by the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation (NTFCF)¡ªthe ceremony celebrated recent exemplary heritage projects in the country.

UNESCO¡¯s Awards programme was established in 2000 to recognize the efforts of the private sector, as well as public-private partnerships, in conserving or revitalizing heritage properties in the region. Since the launch of the Awards over two decades ago, submissions from China have attested to a wealth of standard-setting heritage projects in the country. Notably, 82 exemplary projects from China have received UNESCO Awards to date¡ªthe highest number among 47 countries in Asia and the Pacific. In recent years, China has also made notable efforts to integrate new designs into heritage contexts, as well as mobilize urban heritage and its conservation towards community revitalization.

The Awards ceremony and an accompanying seminar took place at the iconic World Heritage property of the Temple of Heaven (Ìì̳), where Awards jury members, winners, and guests included Chen Jian Hua, Deputy Secretary of Beijing; Jing Feng, Chief of the Culture Unit, UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok; Daryl Ng, Director of Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation and Special Adviser to the Awards; Li Liusan, Director-General of China Academy of Cultural Heritage; Kong Fanzhi, President of Beijing Cultural Relics Protection Association; Zhang Yahong, Party Group Member of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of Beijing Municipal Administration Center of Parks; Ling Ming, Deputy Director of Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau; and Tang Yuyang, Executive Vice President of Architectural Heritage Research Institute, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, and Executive Vice President of Beijing Great Wall Culture Research Institute.

Mr Jing welcomed the guests and opened the event with an introductory speech about the Awards programme. The event commenced with a warm welcome by Mr Chen, followed by congratulatory remarks from Mr Ng, who emphasized the importance of heritage conservation in promoting cultural values and connecting communities. He cited the example of Tai O Heritage Hotel, where restoration efforts have meticulously preserved the hotel's history and architectural significance while rejuvenating the neighborhood. The Hotel received an Award of Merit by the Awards programme in its 2013 cycle. 

The day unfolded with Mr Jing¡¯s acknowledgment of the outstanding contributions of the winners from China from 2021 to 2022, whose recognition was delayed due to the pandemic. Participants delved into discussions on recent trends in Beijing¡¯s conservation scene, with Mr Ling sharing insights on ¡®Innovative Practices for World Heritage in Beijing¡¯, and Mr Tang speaking on ¡®Beijing¡®s Experiences in the Conservation and Management of World Heritage¡¯.

Representing the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, programme officer Julia Kim-Davies presented on ¡®UNESCO Heritage Awards-winning Projects in China¡¯, in which she highlighted the profound impact of winning projects from China and regional trends. The morning concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Dong Wei, of Southeast University, and Kristal Buckley, of Deakin University, with panelists comprising Zhang Jie (Jingdezhen Pengjia Alley Compound, and Awards Jury member); Anna Yau (Lai Chi Wo Rural Landscape, and Awards Jury member); Zhang Yuxing (Shajing Ancient Fair, ARCity Office); and Guanghai Cui (Protective Shelter at the Locality 1 Archaeological Site of Zhoukoudian Peking Man Cave World Heritage Site, Architectural Design & Research Institute of Tsinghua University)¡ªall sharing insights into new directions in urban heritage in Chinese contexts.