The Second Council Meeting of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia opens in Qingdao, Shandong on June 19. [Photo/WeChat account: qd12301]

The Second Council Meeting of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia is being held in Qingdao, Shandong from June 19 to 20. A total of 150 representatives from 23 countries and two international organizations are attending the meeting.

Asia is an important birthplace of human civilization, nurturing and preserving an incredibly rich cultural heritage that has added vibrant chapters to the history of mankind.

In October 2021, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the National Cultural Heritage Administration hosted the Asian Cultural Heritage Protection Dialogue, where China and several other Asian countries jointly launched the Asian Cultural Heritage Conservation Alliance. The alliance helps strengthen the protection of Asian cultural heritage, deepens exchanges among Asian civilizations, enriches the diversity of world civilizations, and contributes to the progress of human civilization.

During the meeting, there will be an exhibition showcasing achievements in cultural heritage protection in Qingdao, along with demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage skills and exhibitions of cultural and creative products, promoting the dissemination of outstanding traditional culture.

As the host city of the conference, Qingdao boasts a rich cultural heritage that has been passed down through generations. It is an important coastal city, a seaside resort, an international port city, and a nationally renowned historical and cultural city with records of human activity dating back over 50,000 years and an agricultural cultural history of nearly 7,000 years.