China President Xi Jinping's Lifelong Passion and Commitment to Dunhuang's Cultural Heritage

Chinese President Xi Jinping has a deep and longstanding passion for Dunhuang, an oasis city with a rich cultural heritage located at the edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Dunhuang was a crucial stop along the ancient Silk Road, and its cultural treasure, the Mogao Grottoes, dates back to the 4th century. The site features 735 caves with over 2,000 sculptures and 45,000 square meters of murals, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

President Xi's connection with Dunhuang goes back over three decades when he first visited Gansu, but couldn't make the trip due to scheduling constraints. In 2019, he fulfilled a long-cherished wish by visiting the Mogao Grottoes, particularly captivated by a mural depicting the Han Dynasty envoy Zhang Qian. Xi has consistently stressed the importance of Dunhuang as a symbol of the cultural interactions along the Silk Road.

Furthermore, Xi has been a staunch advocate for the protection and development of Dunhuang's cultural heritage. He emphasized that the safeguarding of world cultural heritage should take precedence over tourism and economic benefits. Advanced technologies and international cooperation have been used to preserve the priceless treasures of Dunhuang.

Xi's vision extends beyond physical preservation; he encourages the Dunhuang Academy to share its cultural and artistic resources digitally on a global scale. A virtual duplication of the Library Cave, accessible to the public through an interactive digital platform, allows visitors to immerse themselves in Dunhuang's culture.

The conservation efforts applied to Dunhuang have not only benefited the local heritage but have also been shared with more than 500 national-level cultural relics protection projects and introduced to Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries. Xi's commitment to Dunhuang reflects a broader vision of cultural preservation and international collaboration.