A delegation of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) took part in the 41st Session of the World Heritage Committee in Poland, meeting with several high officials of the World Heritage Committee, including the Director of Asia-Pacific Affairs of UNESCO World Heritage Centre, introducing the status of cultural heritage protection in detail, and stating that the MSAR Government will continue to carry out the proper protection works of the heritage, proceeding with determination and confidence in the protection of the Historical Centre of Macao. IC will strive to conclude the draft “Protection and Management Plan of Historical Centre of Macao” within the next year and submit the same to the World Heritage Centre.
The Historical Centre of Macao was one of the topics under the discussion at the Session of the Committee with regards to heritage protection. Among the 99 issues, there were 16 issues in serious and controversial concerns, which brought intense discussions at the meeting. The remaining 83 issues were under the general and non-controversial draft resolutions, including the Historical Centre of Macao and three other issues from Mainland China; and such resolutions were adopted at the regular General Assembly. IC conscientiously paid attention to cases and opinions from all sides, absorbed experiences and summarized the Committee’s handling methods, so as to serve as reference for the development of heritage protection works in the future. As discussed in the Session, Macao will submit a report for the update on the state of conservation of Macao’s heritage by 1 December 2018, indicating the progress of “Protection and Management Plan of Historic Centre of Macao”, the Master Plan of Urban Planning and the “Master Plan for New Reclamation”, among others. Likewise, IC will conclude the draft “Protection and Management Plan of Historic Centre of Macao” as soon as possible and submit it to the World Heritage Centre next year.
During the Session, IC met with several high officials of the World Heritage Committee, including the Director of Asia-Pacific Affairs of UNESCO World Heritage Centre, introducing the status of cultural heritage protection in detail, and stating that the MSAR Government will continue to carry out the proper protection works of the heritage, proceeding with determination and confidence in the protection of the Historical Centre of Macao. IC further showed its intention to meet the World Heritage Centre’s requirements, namely the brief conclusion of the draft “Protection and Management Plan of Historical Centre of Macao” and the report on the status of heritage protection, which will be submitted in time through the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. After a frank dialogue, the Director of the World Heritage Centre expressed his understanding of Macao’s situation and had a better understanding of the status of protection of the Historic Centre of Macao. He also agreed with the MSAR Government’s positive approach and determination to carry out the works and to meet with the requirements of the World Heritage Centre, and appreciated the efforts made in the past decade. After several meetings during this period, both parties established smooth and direct communication channels.
IC further met with staff and experts from the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, the Chinese National Committee for the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS China) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China, introducing the status of protection of the Historic Centre of Macao in details and collecting their opinions and suggestions on Macao’s heritage protection works. Those involved also expressed to follow closely heritage protection works in the future, and to offer their assistance and support when necessary. Also, during the Session, IC conducted in-depth exchanges with a number of overseas experts of heritage protection and admitted to the possibility of inviting them to Macao for exchanges and guidance in future works.
Additionally, in the last two days, the World Heritage Committee announced that the natural site Qinghai Province Hoh Xil and the cultural heritage Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement, are the new sites inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. As member of the Chinese delegation, Macao’s representatives witnessed the whole process of the successful inscription. Macao representatives fully supported the inscription’s work of the country’s heritage. They immediately congratulated the delegations of the related regions and shared the joy of their successful inscription.
Members of the delegation of IC attending in the Session included the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leung Hio Ming; the Head of Department of Cultural Heritage, Leong Wai Man; the Head and the functional head of Division for Research and Planning, Wong Iat Cheong and Sou Kin Meng.
Members of the delegation of IC attended the Session along with the Deputy Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.
The President of IC immediately offered congratulations for China’s successful inscription.
IC conducted in-depth exchanges with the Director of Asia-Pacific Affairs of UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
IC listened the experience from the experts of heritage protection.
IC exchanged ideas with the representatives of the Session.