Great Silk Road becomes UNESCO World Heritage Site
A joint bid submitted by Kazakhstan, China and Kyrgyzstan on the Great Silk Road's entering the World Heritage List was approved at the 38th session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Sunday in Doha (Qatar). The application includes 33 historical monuments, along the Silk Road, including in China (22), in Kazakhstan (8) and in Kyrgyzstan (3). As reported by the Chinese media, this is the first joint project of cooperation between China and foreign countries in the framework of the integration of historical monuments and sites in the UNESCO World Heritage List. China has urged Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to better coordination in order to ensure the preservation of historical monuments of the Silk Road, and expressed hope that the decision of UNESCO will strengthen cultural exchanges between the states. In addition, UNESCO World Heritage Sites included the Grand Canal (China). Recall that the capital of Qatar - Doha - hosts the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO from June 15-25.