The Maritime Silk Road Museum in Yantai. [Photo/WeChat account: ytwlgov]

The 2024 Influential Maritime Silk Road Cities (China) List was announced at the 2024 Mayors Exchange Conference on Maritime Silk Road City Influence, which was recently held in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province. Yantai was included in the list for the first time and stood out as the only Chinese city to share its experiences.

Yantai has placed a strong emphasis on preserving the cultural heritage of the Maritime Silk Road. Efforts such as the development of the "Penglai Water City and Penglai Pavilion Protection Plan," the promotion of the Beizhuang Archaeological Site Park construction, and the effective progress in environmental improvement and monitoring management of Maritime Silk Road heritage sites have significantly raised the standard of cultural heritage conservation.

To facilitate cultural exchanges and mutual learning related to the Maritime Silk Road, Yantai has hosted events like the "Dengzhou Port and Sino-South Korean Exchange" International Academic Symposium, the 15th International Symposium on Ming History, and the 5th International Symposium on Qi Jiguang, focusing on the exploration and organization of cultural narratives such as the Eight Immortals and Mazu. Working with CCTV for specialized documentaries has further boosted the influence of Maritime Silk Road culture.

Moreover, the city actively engages in the application for the Maritime Silk Road World Cultural Heritage designation, joining the Maritime Silk Road Cities Alliance for World Heritage to collectively discuss heritage preservation strategies.

Moving forward, Yantai plans to utilize assets like the Penglai Pavilion and the Maritime Silk Road Museum, capitalize on the prospects of the Changdao Maritime Silk Road Cultural Heritage Protection and Utilization Demonstration Zone, and collaborate with cities along the Maritime Silk Road to develop regional, high-quality tourism.