Cultural Capital Forum Session 1: Linear Cultural Heritage-Inheritance and Innovation Was Held in RUC

On September 29th, 2018, the first session of Cultural Capital Forum with the theme of “Linear Cultural Heritage-Inheritance and Innovation” was jointly held by the Academy of Capital Development and Strategy, Renmin University of China, and the Academy of City Governance and Sustainable Development, Tsinghua University at Guoxueguan, RUC.

Cultural Capital Forum is the important platform for research achievements exhibition and in-depth exploration of the project “Beijing Municipal Plan of Building National Cultural Center 2017-2035”, which was delegated by the Publicity Department of Beijing Municipal Committee to the Academy of Capital Development and Strategy, RUC and the THUPDI.

Professor Wang Qiyan, Head of the Research Group and Director of Leisure Economy Research Center, RUC, introduced the background of this research project and the origin of Cultural Capital Forum in his opening speech. As Beijing positioned it as the capital of "four centers" (the cultural, political, international exchange, science and technology innovation centers), how to turn Beijing into a national cultural center becomes the prime task of the research group. Wang stressed that the Cultural Capital Forum will serve as an important platform for research achievements exhibition, academic exchanges and political consultation and suggestions.

Doctor Li Guanghan, Chinese Representative of the Global Heritage Fund focused on the types and functions of “linear cultural heritage” in his speech of “linear cultural heritage and cultural route”. As a special cultural heritage in the category of visual or spatial patterns, linear cultural heritage is seen as the “aggregate” of cultural heritages along the route as well as the cross-cultural and cross-civilization “bond”. One distinctive feature of linear cultural heritage is it will cover the separated sites along the route as they all share some common characters. It is essential to make Beijing as cultural radiation center, covering more and extensive areas as a whole. Only all the cultural heritages can be connected through something in common, then we can integrated resources and realize broader conservation, inheritance and development of cultural heritages.

Professor Jin Yuanpu, expert in cultural creative industry and Head of Cultural Creative Industry Research Institute, RUC, delivered a speech of “the inheritance and innovation of Beijing world-class linear cultural heritage”. Jin reinterpreted the value of linear cultural heritage in the building of Beijing cultural center from the perspectives of building world-class city and new context theory. With the trend of building global community of common destiny and promoting “the Belt and Road”, Beijing will become more well-known as a world-class city and the national cultural center. As the cultural bond between Beijing and other cities along the routes sharing common cultures and spatial connections, linear cultural heritages should serve as the historical and cultural basis for Beijing to project its influence across the country and even all around the world.

Sun Jinsong, Director of the Cultural Committee in Xicheng District, Beijing, introduced the value of central axis in making Beijing the national cultural center in his speech of “Beijing central axis development and application for world cultural heritage”. The central axis of Beijing is the symbol of Beijing as ancient capital as well as the longest and most complete ancient city axis existing in the world. It played a leading role in organizing city spaces and functions. Sun noted that “the central axis veiled the cultural code of continuous Chinese civilization” as it witnesses the changes and evolutions of Chinese civilization and represents the essence of excellent traditional Chinese culture.

Professor Cai Fan, Director of China Water Conservancy History Research Society, introduced the history of Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal Cultural Zone. Cai stressed that the Grand Canal is not only an engineering relic but also a driving force for the formation of ancient capital context. One crucial factor of Beijing capital culture is the great exchange and convergence of different local cultures brought in Beijing through the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Beijing has shared a long history in culture development with other cultural systems thanks to the Grand Canal, laying a solid historical and cultural foundation for the building of national cultural center.

Professor Zhang Baoxiu, Dean of College of Applied Arts and Science of Beijing Union University focused on the development of the Great Wall Cultural Zone. Zhang said that the Great Wall linked by the walls of former State of Yan, the Northern Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty, was indeed a world wonder built by Chinese ancestors through generations. The history of Great Wall represents the history of the integration of different Chinese nationalities. As the typical representative of Beijing geographical landscape and cultural site, the Great Wall Cultural Zone is a symbol and carrier of national culture confidence. Based on such a deep understanding, the development of Great Wall could introduce the concept of “building national cultural parks around the capital” so as to realize unified planning, conservation and exploration.

Professor Li Jianping, Head of Beijing History Research Society introduced the history of Xishan-Yongdinghe River Cultural Zone and stressed that this region is the root and origin of Beijing city. The human activities found along the Yongdinghe River date back to 3 million years ago, and Xishan region is essential to the construction of Beijing city and people’s daily life. In the future, with the construction of Xiong’an new area and replanning of Beijing city, Xishan-Yongdinghe River Cultural Zone will be developed into the cultural corridor linking Beijing inner city, Tongzhou Sub-center and Xiong’an new area. Therefore, the potential of this cultural zone is greatly undervalued at present.

More than 40 experts and scholars from the Academy of Capital Development and Strategy, RUC, the THUPDI, Tsinghua University, and sister academies attended the first session of Cultural Capital Forum.