Xiangxi Global Geopark Participates in 2026 Symposium on Natural and Cultural Heritage
Under the theme “Natural China, Beautiful Homeland: Leveraging Natural and Cultural Heritage for Green Development in Ethnic Minority Areas,” the symposium aimed to promote the integration of theoretical innovation in natural and cultural heritage with practices in developing an ecological civilization, thereby contributing to green development in ethnic minority areas. During the symposium, participants held in-depth discussions on a wide range of topics, including theoretical innovation and value interpretation of natural and cultural heritage, the conservation and utilization of geological and natural heritage, ecological conservation and green transformation in ethnic minority areas in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, and the development of national parks and geoparks. Zhang Jianping, Vice Chair of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, delivered a keynote presentation entitled “The Concept and Sustainable Development of UNESCO Global Geoparks .” A number of experts and scholars shared their research findings and practical experience on new approaches to geoscience research and geotourism development, leveraging geoparks to promote regional green development, and realizing the value of ecological products. The symposium also released the Xunhua Declaration and held the unveiling ceremony for the new book Natural China.
Representatives of Xiangxi Global Geopark listened attentively to a number of keynote presentations. As one of the 11 branches under the Institute of Natural and Cultural Heritage Studies of China University of Geosciences (Beijing), representatives of Xiangxi Global Geopark participated in discussions with other delegates during a roundtable forum on the theme “Empowering Parks, Enriching Homelands: Regional Practices and Livelihood Pathways in National Park and Geopark Development.”
Participants of Xiangxi Global Geopark also conducted field visits to geological and geomorphological sites in Xunhua County and surrounding areas, focusing on the characteristics of geological heritage in the Yellow River valley and the development of Danxia landforms and river terraces. Located in the Yellow River valley, Xunhua features distinctive natural landscapes where red Danxia cliffs contrast with the green waters of the Yellow River, providing useful references for the conservation and science popularization of geological heritage.
