Heading towards the future, what makes China prosperous? | Quanzhou Prefecture Confucian Temple Cultural Relics Protection and Management Office Research Librarian He Zhenliang: Citong Ancient Port on the Sea | Silk Road | Management Office
On July 9th, the online theme promotion of "Why China is China in a Prosperous Era" was launched at the Shaanxi Archaeological Museum. Xi'an is the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, while Quanzhou is the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. At the launch ceremony, He Zhenliang, a research librarian at the Quanzhou Confucian Temple Cultural Relics Protection and Management Office, led the audience to experience a different scenery.
He Zhenliang, Research Librarian of the Cultural Relics Protection and Management Office of the Confucian Temple in Quanzhou Prefecture. Photo by Wang Kuo from Shaanxi Radio and Television Integrated Media Group
"At Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, there is an ancient sunken ship unearthed in 1974. When it was discovered, there were over 2000 kilograms of dehydrated spices and medicinal herbs in the ship. According to experts' judgment, this ancient sunken ship came from the Southern Song Dynasty and belonged to the 'Fu Ship' type of ocean going merchant ships. He Zhenliang said that this 700 year old 'great country heavy vessel' was once the largest, oldest, and most well preserved ancient ship unearthed in the country, and the 'Fu Ship' was also a benchmark in ancient shipbuilding industry, known for 'Fujian is the top of sea boats'.".
Quanzhou was known as the "Citadel City" in ancient times. It not only had advanced shipbuilding technology, but also was one of the important ports for overseas transportation in ancient China. As the only excavated sunken ship that had returned from overseas in China, it witnessed the opening and prosperity of ancient Quanzhou. He Zhenliang said, "During the Song and Yuan dynasties, overseas trade was unprecedentedly prosperous. Not only did merchants from various countries and ethnic groups do business here, but Western travelers were also attracted and wrote many vivid travelogues. Marco Polo called this place one of the world's largest ports, and seeing the bright lights of the port, Jacob DeAncona exclaimed that Quanzhou was called the 'City of Light'."
Due to Quanzhou's position in maritime trade, people from different countries, ethnicities, and religions coexist harmoniously here. For the famous historical sites in Quanzhou, He Zhenliang is very familiar with them. "On the west tower of Kaiyuan Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the southeast, there is an Indian style monkey walker carved. The Islamic temple Qingjing Temple preserves the imperial edict inscriptions of the Ming Dynasty, and is adjacent to Quanzhou Prefecture Confucian Temple and Guandi Temple. It is precisely the diverse cultural heritage of Quanzhou City that highlights the characteristics of Chinese civilization as' generous, inclusive, and open '."
On July 25, 2021, the project "Quanzhou: China's World Marine Trade Center in the Song and Yuan Dynasties" was officially included in the The World Heritage List, and the civilization of the ancient city of Erythrina was recognized by the world. During the 20 years of applying for World Heritage, He Zhenliang went through the entire process, undertaking the compilation of four relevant laws and regulations for the application, and witnessing the hardships and twists and turns of the entire process. "When the news of the successful application of World Heritage returned to Quanzhou, everyone was boiling with applause, cheers, and the song 'Only by Fighting can we win' resounded throughout the venue."
"The Quanzhou series of heritage tells the story of China's maritime trade, where agriculture and maritime civilization complement each other, fully showcasing the peaceful development process of Chinese civilization since ancient times. The development process of Quanzhou during the Song and Yuan dynasties reflects the spirit of hard work, openness, inclusiveness, and innovation, and is a witness to the inheritance of Chinese culture to this day." He Zhenliang said that Quanzhou, which is characterized by "diverse integration, common prosperity, and shared development," also provides a historical dimension sample for building a community with a shared future for mankind, which is still an important inspiration for today's world.
Let Quanzhou go global and let the world see Quanzhou. The genes of navigation flow in the blood of the paulownia tree people. "For thousands of years, people in the ancient city have taken care of this precious and unique heritage just as they have taken care of their own eyes." He Zhenliang sighed that under the background of the "the Belt and Road" initiative and the building of a maritime power, Quanzhou, the "ship of light" carrying the memory of human navigation, will surely ride the wind and waves, continue the voyage, and write an immortal legend of the new era!
The online theme publicity of "Why China in a Prosperous Age" is jointly sponsored by the Network Communication Bureau of the Central Cyberspace Office, the Department of Policies and Regulations, the Department of Cultural Relics and Monuments, the Department of Archaeology, the Department of Museums and Social Relics of the National Cutural Heritage Administration, the Cyberspace Office of the Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee, the Shaanxi Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, the Cyberspace Committee of the Xi'an Municipal Party Committee, People's Daily Online, and the Shaanxi Radio, Television and Media Group, and supported by the China Internet Development Foundation. More than 200 people attended the launch ceremony, including leaders from the Central Cyberspace Office, the National Cutural Heritage Administration, the People's Daily, the central news unit, the central key news website, the local Cyberspace Office, the Cultural Heritage Bureau, the commercial website, and other units, as well as leaders from Shaanxi, major commercial website platforms, and Internet users. During the event, a themed sharing event titled "Undertaking the Cultural Mission of the New Era and Activating the New Vitality of Chinese Civilization" was also held.
