¡Hola amigos! 🌟 The Silk Roads aren’t just history—they’re a living thread connecting cultures across Asia and beyond. Thanks to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), member countries are joining forces to keep this legacy alive.
On July 7, 2025, Qingdao hosted the 22nd Meeting of Ministers of Culture of the SCO, with ministers and SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev exploring ways to preserve and document cultural treasures. Global conflicts have scarred many sites, and this gathering in Tianjin marks the 10th anniversary of the destruction of Palmyra in Syria—one of the most devastating cultural losses of the last century.
Artifact trafficking is another major concern. At the 21st SCO cultural ministers meeting in 2024, ministers agreed to exchange expertise on combating illicit trade and safeguarding traditions. It’s where security meets culture, proving that protecting artworks and relics is a global mission.
And here’s a highlight: Chinese teams are on the frontlines of preservation. Wang Jianxin, chief scientist at the Collaborative Research Center for Archaeology of the Silk Roads, explains, "Chinese teams conduct temporary protection, build sheds, and install monitoring systems to keep relics safe during excavations." 🛡️🏺
With cultural treasures spanning borders, the SCO serves as a crucial platform for cooperation, information sharing, and security. From Tianjin to the ancient paths of the Silk Roads, this partnership shows that when it comes to our shared heritage, unity is strength. 🌐🤝
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
