Four Chinese irrigation projects granted world heritage status

Four ancient Chinese irrigation projects were honored as World Heritage Irrigation Structures on Wednesday.

Granted by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage at the 76th International Executive Council Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the inclusion of the four irrigation projects has brought the total number of Chinese irrigation projects on the list to 42.

The four newly enlisted heritage projects include the Hani Rice Terraces in Yuanyang County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Chishan Lake Irrigation Project in Jurong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jianjiang Weir in Pengzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, and Yongding River Ancient Canal Irrigation System in Beijing.

The Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces, dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), cover an irrigation area of 3,740 hectares. Built on the slopes of the Ailao Mountains, they are renowned for their integrated ecosystem that combines forests, villages, terraces, and water systems.

The Chishan Lake Irrigation Project, built in 239 AD, remains a key facility for irrigation and flood control on the upper reaches of the Qinhuai River, serving about 5,133.33 hectares of farmland.

The Jianjiang Weir, constructed during the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-8 AD), continues to irrigate 10,800 hectares today.

The Yongding River Ancient Canal System in Beijing, with sections dating back to the Liao Dynasty (916-1125), ingeniously uses river bends to draw water, prevent floods, and control silt, reflecting traditional wisdom of harnessing nature for human use.

The World Heritage Irrigation Structures, established by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage in 2014, aims to protect and promote irrigation projects of historical value and scientific experience. The list now covers 200 projects across the world.

Four Chinese irrigation projects granted world heritage status

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