China and ASEAN embrace shared heritage

Cultural heritage is becoming more than just a record of the past for China and ASEAN countries. The two sides are expanding cooperation beyond traditional conservation, and placing greater emphasis on digital technologies, sustainable development, creative industries and youth engagement as they seek to preserve and revitalize their shared cultural legacy.

That evolving partnership was at the heart of the China-ASEAN Cultural Heritage Dialogue, held in Dunhuang, Gansu province, on July 2. The event brought together around 150 heritage professionals, archaeologists, scholars, policymakers, technology experts, and youth representatives from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Cambodia, as well as international organizations, to explore how cultural heritage can become a stronger driver of regional cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

The event comes as China and ASEAN celebrate the fifth anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with cultural heritage emerging as an increasingly important pillar of regional cooperation.

"We were never isolated from one another," said Ivan Henares, chairman of the Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance.

Long before modern nation-states emerged, trade, diplomacy and the exchange of knowledge connected China and Southeast Asia, shaping ports, cities, architecture and traditions across the region, he said.

"Even the food we enjoy today tells stories of centuries of dialogue. Heritage is not simply about preserving monuments or traditions. At its heart, it is about maintaining connections between people, places and cultures."

Henares said today's shared challenges, including climate change, rapid urbanization and the loss of traditional knowledge, require closer regional cooperation.

"China has much to offer in scientific conservation, digital innovation and heritage interpretation, while Southeast Asia has valuable experience in community-based conservation, living heritage and managing diverse cultural landscapes," he said. "Our different practices complement each other."

For Zhang Xiaogang, deputy head of the Dunhuang Academy, the city itself demonstrates why such exchanges remain relevant today.

Located at the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road, Dunhuang became a meeting place where civilizations encountered, influenced, and enriched one another. "Dunhuang cultural heritage embodies the openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning, and coexistence that characterized the Silk Road," Zhang said.

"The ancient Silk Road promoted economic development and cultural exchanges across continents. Today, countries face the common task of pursuing peace and development, making it all the more important to carry forward the Silk Road spirit."

If history provides the foundation for China-ASEAN heritage cooperation, participants agree that innovation is opening new pathways for the two sides to protect, revitalize and share their cultural heritage.

Digital technology emerged as one of the strongest themes throughout the dialogue, with experts highlighting how artificial intelligence, big data and digital modeling are reshaping both heritage conservation and public engagement.

Xu Lubin, deputy director of the Bureau of Cultural Relics and Heritage Management under the Liangzhu Archaeological Site Administrative Committee in Zhejiang province, said technologies such as digital twin modeling, environmental monitoring and intelligent early-warning systems have helped transform the site from traditional manual inspections to a digital management system integrating archaeological research, conservation, and monitoring, while safeguarding its authenticity and improving management efficiency.

Such technological innovation is also creating new opportunities for cross-border cooperation. Heritage institutions in China and Southeast Asia are increasingly sharing digital tools and conservation experience as they confront common challenges.

The Yungang Research Institute has expanded exchanges with Cambodia's Angkor Wat through exhibitions and professional dialogues on heritage conservation.

Li Lihong, associate research librarian at the institute's Digital Conservation Center, said AI, 3D laser scanning and high-precision digital documentation are enabling researchers to preserve grottoes in unprecedented detail and even assist in the virtual restoration of damaged relics.

"AI is becoming an important tool for heritage conservation," Li said. "But technology cannot replace human expertise. Instead, it provides new possibilities for protecting and understanding cultural heritage."

Cambodia is exploring similar approaches in its own conservation work.

Im Sokrithy, director of the Department of Research, Training and Communication at Cambodia's APSARA National Authority, said digital twin technology is also being used at the Banteay Chhmar temple complex to support conservation and research. He expressed hope that China and ASEAN countries could build more open platforms for sharing data and expertise to better preserve heritage for future generations.

Participants said innovation should extend beyond conservation itself to generate broader cultural and economic value.

Heri Yogaswara, head of the Archaeology, Language and Literature Research Organization at Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), said stronger research networks and international cooperation are essential to maximizing the social and economic value of cultural heritage. Indonesia is working to better connect archaeological research with creative industries, digital innovation and cultural tourism so that heritage conservation can generate broader public benefits, he said.

"We hope to strengthen collaboration with China and other ASEAN partners in research, innovation and infrastructure," he said."Research should not stop at academic discovery. It should also contribute to creative industries and benefit society."

That broader vision also places heritage within the framework of sustainable development.

Li Hong, representing the UNESCO World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region in Shanghai, said heritage should contribute to sustainable development by integrating environmental protection, economic vitality, cultural continuity, and community well-being into everyday management. "Through research, planning and good governance, heritage can become an important force that benefits communities while passing cultural values on to future generations."

As heritage cooperation expands, participants also highlighted the importance of stronger institutional support.

Liu Chao, chairman of the Intellectual Property Publishing House, called for China and ASEAN countries to jointly build databases for traditional knowledge and cultural heritage, deepen cooperation on protected geographical indications, and expand training opportunities for young professionals.

The launch of the China-ASEAN Cultural Heritage IP Incubation Capacity Enhancement Program reflects that ambition. The initiative will bring together heritage practitioners, students, researchers and media professionals from across the region to explore how cultural heritage can be transformed into creative products while strengthening long-term exchanges.

Another recurring theme was the role of the younger generation. Participants agreed that deeper China-ASEAN cooperation will depend not only on protecting cultural heritage, but also on equipping young researchers, heritage practitioners, students, and content creators with the skills and platforms to reinterpret and communicate that heritage in contemporary ways.

"Heritage protection is ultimately about ensuring these connections continue for future generations," Henares said. "I hope this dialogue will lead not only to exchanges of ideas, but also to new friendships, new partnerships and new cooperation."