UNESCO designates Beijing Central Axis as World Heritage Site

The Beijing Central Axis was added to the United Nations' cultural heritage list on Saturday, marking a prestigious recognition for the 700-year-old line of historical and cultural landmarks that traverse the heart of the Chinese capital.

During the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, India, both China's Beijing Central Axis and the Badain Jaran Desert were added to UNESCO's World Heritage List. This brings the total number of World Heritage sites in China to 59, making it one of the countries with the most World Heritage sites, alongside Italy.

Upon the announcement, session chairperson Vishal Sharma exclaimed in Chinese, "Congratulations, China!"

The Beijing Central Axis, the best-preserved example of traditional central axis architecture in China, extends 7.8 kilometers from Yongding Gate in the south to the Bell and Drum Towers in the north.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee recognizes the Beijing Central Axis for its integrity and authenticity. The committee stated that the north-south axis illustrates the traditional Chinese philosophy of the relationship between man, city, heaven, and nature. It is a typical and well-preserved example of the thousand-year development of Chinese capital planning.

The Central Axis dates back to the 13th century during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and its length was extended during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911).

Several attractions along the axis, such as the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, have already been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Efforts to get the entire Central Axis recognized by UNESCO began in 2011. Since then, over 100 cultural heritage restoration projects have been carried out along the axis.

Lyu Zhou, director of the National Heritage Center at Tsinghua University, said that the line reflects the Chinese people's approach to constructing order.

"In China, we are constantly discussing how to tell a compelling story of Chinese civilization through our world heritage. We think that Beijing Central Axis is an excellent medium for telling China's story, as it reflects the Chinese people's approach to constructing order," said Lyu.

According to Lyu, the Beijing Central Axis is a great example that demonstrates the essence of Chinese history and culture, as well as their development trajectory.

"For China and also the city of Beijing, the process of applying for World Heritage status is a social communication process. It helps people understand our history and culture, which are the roots of our nation, and attracts more people to get to know China. The axis answers questions like 'What is China?' and 'Why is China the way it is?' The Beijing Central Axis embodies a variety of concepts that address these questions," said Lyu.

UNESCO designates Beijing Central Axis as World Heritage Site

Germany's decision to tighten border controls since Monday has caused serious traffic congestion and delays for vehicles heading from the Polish side to Germany, which also triggered growing complaints from the public.

The new measures affected Germany's borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland. This temporary control measure will last six months and may be extended after its expiration.

In the Polish border city of Slubice, vehicles heading from the Polish side to Germany began to line up in long queues and move slowly on Monday local time, while vehicles heading from the German side to Poland are unimpeded.

The German government said that the implementation of this control measure is to limit illegal immigration, deal with potential terrorist threats and cross-border crimes, and protect its national security. However, this measure has caused great inconvenience to the lives of people on the Polish side. Many Polish residents need to go to Germany to work and study every day, and the serious traffic congestion has made life more difficult for them.

"Because there are so many illegal immigrants trying to enter Germany, initially Germany implemented controls at the main border entrances, but now the control measures have been extended to the whole country. Such restrictions are necessary to a certain extent, but they have caused a lot of freight trucks to be congested at the highway ports. Now there is congestion at the port bridge in our city, and people have begun to complain," said Daniel Malecki, a resident in Slubice.

Border control policy in Germany triggers traffic congestion, rising complaints