Ever dreamed of crossing gates from Malacca's Jonker Street to Huangshan's misty peaks? Well, thanks to the new RCEP-WHCA, that dream is becoming a reality! 🚀 The 2025 General Assembly kicked off last Friday in Huangshan city, eastern Anhui Province in the Chinese mainland, where reps from the Chinese mainland, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam joined forces for a major heritage collaboration.
RCEP-WHCA (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership World Heritage Cities Alliance) is all about connecting heritage sites across the region – from Ha Long Bay's emerald waters in Vietnam to the misty peaks of Huangshan, and even the vibrant street art of Malacca. By sharing best practices, tech tools and fresh ideas, these cities will level up conservation and sustainable tourism. 🌱
“Together, we can ensure that the cultural and natural wonders of the Asia Pacific continue to inspire, educate, and sustain for centuries to come,” said Peter Semone, Chairman of PATA. And with UNESCO, UNWTO, and ten heritage bodies from Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Australia, New Zealand and the Chinese mainland on board, there's plenty of brainpower fueling these plans.
So, what's on the agenda? The Huangshan Initiative, launched in June, is getting a boost. Tech, capital and talent will flow freely between sites like Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area and Ha Long Bay, or Tunxi Old Street and Malacca's historic heart. Memorandums of Understanding were also inked with PATA and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council – talk about making moves! ✍️
In total, 180 reps from research hubs, cultural agencies and tourism service teams across 15 RCEP member states – including Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand – gathered to chart the future of heritage in our backyard. For young travelers, digital creators, and culture buffs across South and Southeast Asia, this means more immersive experiences, epic collabs and next-level adventures. 🎒✨
Stay tuned as these World Heritage cities turn up the heat on heritage exchange – your next Insta-worthy discovery might just be a click away! 📸
Reference(s):
New alliance to keep world heritage cities pulsing with new exchanges
cgtn.com
