Topic: 2025-Protecting Heritage Sites and Cultural Artifacts in Conflict Zones
Country: China
Delegate Name: Xinyu Wang
Cultural heritage sites and artifacts are valuable pieces of history that tell the story of a nation’s past. Unfortunately, many of these sites are being destroyed due to wars, conflicts, and illegal trafficking. When heritage is lost, a part of a nation’s identity is lost with it. As a country with thousands of years of history and world-famous heritage sites such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, China strongly supports the protection of cultural heritage in conflict zones.
China fully supports the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict and its Second Protocol (1999), which aim to prevent the destruction of cultural heritage during war. China also supports UN Security Council Resolution 2347 (2017), which condemns attacks on cultural heritage and calls for stronger international cooperation to protect it.
To address this issue, China believes that stronger laws and enforcement are needed to stop the illegal trade of stolen cultural artifacts. Many artifacts looted from war zones are sold on the black market, funding criminal organizations and armed groups. China calls for stricter international laws and increased cooperation between countries, UNESCO, INTERPOL, and UNODC to track and return stolen artifacts.
China also proposes the use of technology in protecting heritage sites. 3D scanning and digital archiving can help document at-risk sites, ensuring that even if they are damaged, their history is preserved. Additionally, the use of early-warning systems and satellite monitoring can help detect threats to heritage sites before they are destroyed.
Finally, China believes in post-conflict restoration efforts. After a war, it is important to help rebuild damaged cultural sites and return stolen artifacts to their rightful places. China is willing to share its expertise in cultural restoration and work with UNESCO to help rebuild heritage sites in conflict-affected countries.
China stands firm in its commitment to protecting the world’s cultural heritage. By strengthening international laws, using advanced technology, and supporting restoration efforts, we can ensure that future generations continue to learn from and appreciate the history and culture of all nations.
