Heritage Conservation and China's Belt and Road Initiative

The book explores how the Belt and Road Initiative is affecting the conservation and management of heritage sites, highlighting the different aims and outlooks of Chinese diplomacy, UNESCO, and other international heritage conservation organizations, nation-states, and local communities. It shows how the Initiative has energized multilateral efforts in heritage diplomacy and management.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 194 pages
Publication date: 23 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the profound impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative on the conservation and management of heritage sites along the ancient Silk Road. By adopting a non-Western-centric geopolitical narrative, the initiative has reshaped the way these heritage sites are perceived and protected. Through an in-depth examination of the interplay between academics, heritage professionals, and government officials, the book explores the intricate processes involved in inscribing Silk Roads heritage sites, as well as the challenges and opportunities presented by their management.

Furthermore, it examines how changing heritage conservation practices are influenced by politics and professionalism, and how these negotiations unfold differently across different nation-states within the Belt and Road zones. The book highlights the diverse aims and outlooks of Chinese diplomacy, UNESCO, and other international heritage conservation organizations, as well as the roles of nation-states as guardians of national interests and local communities as custodians of everyday lived heritage.

By shedding light on the dynamics between these various stakeholders, the book demonstrates how the Belt and Road Initiative has energized multilateral efforts in heritage diplomacy and management. It also explores the complex relationship between heritage professionals, including practitioners engaged by governments and international organizations, and scholars and researchers who provide consultancy advice. The book raises important questions about the politics-free nature of heritage professionals and the potential for their co-opting into speaking for stakeholders, particularly national governments.

Overall, this book offers a valuable insights into the complex interplay between politics, heritage, and globalization, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the conservation and management of Silk Roads heritage sites in the era of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032513676