Three of China’s documentary heritage collections enter UNESCO Memory of World Register

Three documentary heritage collections submitted by China have been inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization announced on Thursday.

Among the 74 newly added entries, China contributed two solo submissions -- the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng and the Steles of Shaolin Temple -- as well as a joint submission with Sri Lanka: the Trilingual Inscription.

According to UNESCO, the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng is a remarkable set of ancient bronze bells unearthed in 1978 from the Tombs of Marquis Yi in Suizhou City, central China's Hubei Province. These bells not only offer insights into early Chinese musical traditions but also contain inscriptions considered the earliest surviving archaeological records illustrating mathematical relationships in music.

The Steles of Shaolin Temple (566-1990) comprise 499 surviving steles of the iconic temple, presenting a relatively complete and coherent sequence of historical documents in the form of stone inscriptions dating back to 1424.

The third entry, the Trilingual Inscription jointly submitted by China and Sri Lanka, is a stone tablet dated February 15, 1409. The inscription features texts in Chinese, Persian, and Tamil. Installed by Chinese Admiral Zheng He during one of his voyages, it praises Buddha, Vishnu, and Allah. UNESCO describes it as the only known trilingual text that combines these three languages and represents three distinct civilizations.

With this addition, a total of 18 Chinese documentary heritage items have been inscribed in the Memory of the World Register.

The Memory of the World Register, World Heritage, and Intangible Cultural Heritage are UNESCO’s three flagship heritage programs.

Three of China’s documentary heritage collections enter UNESCO Memory of World Register

Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Monday.

As solemn music played and the golden doors slowly opened, Xi and Vucic entered the hall together, followed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Vucic's wife Tamara Vucic.

Applauding guests rose to their feet, and paid respect to the two heads of state.

A Guard of Honor escorted the Friendship Medal into the hall, and amid solemn music, Xi formally presented the medal to Vucic.

Xi highlighted Vucic's long-standing commitment to advancing China-Serbia friendship and underscored the significance of the honor.

"President Vucic has long stayed committed to China-Serbia friendship, and he has always given China the firmest and clearest support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He gains the respect from the Chinese people. This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to bilateral friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of both peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said.

The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreigners, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.

At the invitation of Xi, Vucic is on a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday, with this marking his first state visit to China and his ninth trip to the country overall.

Xi awards Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic China's friendship medal