During public holidays, many tourists visit Anping Bridge, renowned as the "world's longest bridge," to experience its charm. Following Quanzhou's successful World Heritage designation, various heritage sites have become must-visit destinations for travelers. (Photo by Chen Xiaoyang)

　　Quanzhou News, January 27 — On the 25th, Quanzhou hosted a training session to introduce the "Guidelines for Strengthening the Protection and Management of Quanzhou:Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China," issued by the municipal government. The event provided a detailed explanation of the document.

　　Goals for 2025: Establishing a Model City for World Heritage Protection and Utilization

　　A representative from the municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism explained that the guidelines outline a two-step approach for heritage management in Quanzhou. Specifically, by 2025, the city aims to achieve significant progress toward becoming a model city for the protection and utilization of World Heritage. This will involve creating a management system based on preventive conservation, fostering cross-departmental collaboration, and ensuring the coordinated development of heritage protection and utilization. By 2030, the goal is to establish a national demonstration zone for cultural heritage preservation and transform Quanzhou into a more vibrant, prosperous, and resilient example of World Heritage protection, with a globally influential model that contributes to China's international discourse and provides valuable insights for global heritage conservation.

　　The guidelines apply to the entire cultural heritage site of "Quanzhou:Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China," which includes 22 heritage sites and their associated environments. Future sites recognized through legal procedures will also be included. The management areas encompass heritage zones, buffer zones, and landscape control areas.

　　2023: Legislation on Quanzhou World Heritage Protection Regulations Begins

　　In terms of city-wide coordination, a World Heritage Protection Management Leading Group has been established to oversee all aspects of heritage preservation in Quanzhou. Related management tasks will be integrated into the performance evaluation systems of municipal departments and the local government of each heritage site. Additionally, construction projects within the buffer zones and landscape control areas of heritage sites in Licheng, Fengze, and Luojiang must undergo review and approval by the city's planning departments, with expert consultations and agreement from the municipal cultural heritage authorities.

　　Efforts to improve relevant laws and regulations are underway. In early 2023, Quanzhou began the legislative process for the "Quanzhou:Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China" World Heritage Protection Regulations. The city will also implement six key systems for heritage management, including regular monitoring, expert consultations, heritage impact assessments, joint technical reviews, management of buried archaeological sites, and coordinated law enforcement inspections.

　　Building Archaeological Research Plans for World Heritage

　　The guidelines further define priorities for information management, daily protection, archaeological capacity-building, integrated research, sustainable utilization, and brand development for Quanzhou's World Heritage. The city will enhance its heritage monitoring system, integrating data into a shared heritage archive to create a comprehensive "heritage map" of Quanzhou.

　　To strengthen archaeological capabilities, Quanzhou will develop archaeological research plans focusing on the ancient city, diverse ethnic groups, production of goods, transport networks, and shipbuilding bases. This will deepen the understanding of the heritage's value in promoting global maritime trade and cultural exchanges. Efforts will include enhancing field archaeology, advancing underwater archaeology, and striving for breakthroughs in underwater research.

　　Promoting Sustainable Utilization of Heritage Sites

　　To encourage sustainable tourism, Quanzhou will develop a specialized tourism plan for World Heritage sites. This plan will regulate visitor capacity, standardize interpretation and display guidelines, improve public infrastructure, and explore mechanisms for the separation and cooperation of heritage protection and tourism operations. It will also focus on heritage promotion, cultural product development, and public education to support both preservation and utilization.

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　　Cultural Heritage Protection Legal Base Established

　　On January 25, the "Cultural Heritage Protection Legal Base" was officially launched at the Haishi Historical Sites Protection Circuit Court in Licheng. This initiative aims to address challenges related to cultural heritage protection and utilization, linking law enforcement with cultural preservation agencies. Notable actions include creating a museum dedicated to Song-Yuan law and establishing a joint action memorandum with the municipal court and prosecutor's office.

　　Insurance Protection for World Heritage Sites in Jinjiang

　　In an innovative move, Jinjiang has introduced insurance for its World Heritage sites. A newly signed agreement covers the Mani Statue, Cizao Kiln Site, and Anping Bridge (Jinjiang section), with a total insurance value of 18.15 million RMB. This insurance plan includes risk coverage for natural disasters, maintenance costs, and liability for tourist-related accidents, providing a robust financial safety net for these sites.

　　These efforts are part of a broader strategy to develop Quanzhou as a model city for the protection and sustainable utilization of World Heritage, advancing both the city's heritage preservation and tourism sectors.