Vision China puts spotlight on Yellow River civilization and Gansu

Yeshi Lhamo, associate professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said there are various intangible cultural heritage projects throughout the Yellow River Basin, like the Gesar epic tradition.

The Chinese government has established 23 state-level eco-cultural preservation areas across the country, among which eight are located in the basin.

She praised the government's efforts to protect them and said people should keep observing and thinking about the development of the Yellow River culture.

"The development, vision, history, culture, science and technology, and natural ecology of our Yellow River Basin, can become a model for sustainable development in such an unpredictable world," she said.

David Gosset, founder of the Europe-China Forum, said the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and its effects have helped accelerate China's return to a position of centrality through a process of renaissance.

He defined this renaissance in five areas: the Chinese economic re-emergence, China's social transformation, China's cultural and intellectual metamorphosis, Global China and China's position as the source of ideas for the 21th century.

"President Xi Jinping presented the idea of ecological civilization. Not only do we need it for Gansu and China, but also for the world," Gosset said.

Signing ceremonies of culture and tourism projects on the Yellow River were also held at the event.

"For those from the regions along the Yellow River, they are connected with each other. It's essential for the regions to work together to promote its great civilization and rich tourism resources," attendant Li Zhixiong said, an official from the culture and tourism department of Yan'an, Shaanxi province.

Launched in 2018 by China Daily, Vision China invites political, business and academic speakers to tell China's story from a global perspective and discuss major China-related topics of international interest. Previous to this event, talks have been held 15 times in places like Beijing, Tianjin and London.