On the morning of May 16, 2025, Mr. Juan José Herrera de la Muela, Cultural and Science Counselor of the Embassy of Spain in China, along with Ms. Sandra Durand, Program Specialist, and Ms. Gailin, Counselor Assistant, visited the UNESCO World Heritage Training and Research Center Beijing Branch (WHITR-AP Beijing). They held in‑depth discussions on cultural heritage protection and cooperation between China and Spain. Li Guanghan, Executive Director of the Beijing Branch, and Song Feng, Deputy Director of the Beijing Branch, received the guests on behalf of the Center.
Group photo of the attendees
Counselor Herrera de la Muela stated that cultural heritage is highly valued both in Spanish society and at the government level, and introduced the concepts and characteristics of cultural heritage protection in Spain. Deputy Director Song Feng reviewed the history of the introduction of the World Heritage Convention into China, emphasizing that Peking University was the key academic institution that first promoted world heritage in China. He further introduced Peking University’s deep academic tradition and significant advantages in interdisciplinary research in the field of heritage studies, and noted that current heritage protection is showing a trend towards the integration of culture and nature, as well as tangible and intangible heritage. Both sides agreed that China and Spain, as major countries rich in cultural heritage with distinctive experiences, have broad potential for exchange and cooperation.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s accession to the World Heritage Convention. Both sides hope to take this opportunity to promote practical cooperation in areas such as exhibition planning, thematic training, academic conferences, and youth participation. In the future, the two sides will actively explore the establishment of collaborative mechanisms to carry out long‑term dialogue and cooperation on issues such as heritage protection, inheritance, presentation, and sustainable use.
