At China's Longmen Grottoes, city leaders from around the world highlight the shared responsibility of protecting cultural heritage for future generations.
With a history spanning more than 1,500 years, China's Longmen Grottoes stand as a remarkable testament to ancient craftsmanship, Buddhist art and cultural exchange. But preserving such a legacy takes more than the passage of time. It requires a shared commitment to protecting the past for generations to come.
Located in Luoyang, Henan Province, the Longmen Grottoes feature thousands of Buddhist statues and inscriptions carved into limestone cliffs. While much of this extraordinary heritage has survived for centuries, some sculptures have been damaged or lost, underscoring the importance of continued conservation and protection.
During a visit to the site as part of the 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue · Luoyang, city leaders from around the world reflected on why cultural heritage deserves protection beyond national and geographical boundaries.
"We cannot undo this. However, we can protect (them)," said Yun Sinang, Administrative Deputy Director of Siem Reap Municipality in Cambodia, highlighting the importance of safeguarding the statues and understanding the history they represent.
For Aimilia Tziva, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Heraklion, Attica, Greece, respect for history should transcend differences in culture and origin.
"We have to respect the history, whoever created these (statues)," she said, emphasizing the need to protect the statues and preserve their stories for the future.
To tackle the shared challenges of heritage conservation, the city leaders highlighted the role of local communities. Raising public awareness, helping residents understand the value of historical sites and sharing their stories with visitors can all contribute to long-term protection. By bringing cultural heritage to a wider international audience, communities can help strengthen appreciation for the history they safeguard.
Dong Liyuan, a tour guide at the Longmen Grottoes, stressed that protecting history is a responsibility shared by everyone. "History does not belong to just some people; it belongs to all of us," she said. While people may contribute in different ways, everyone has a role to play in protecting cultural heritage.
For centuries, the Longmen Grottoes have preserved extraordinary works of art and traces of cultural exchange. Their significance extends beyond China, offering people around the world an opportunity to learn about the past and the connections between civilizations.
Some things are simply too precious to lose. Protecting cultural heritage means preserving not only ancient statues and historic sites, but also the stories, knowledge and cultural connections they carry. Through sustained conservation, community engagement and international cooperation, the current generations can help ensure that these irreplaceable treasures remain part of our shared human heritage.
Reporter | Li Fangwang
Photos | Li Fangwang
Video & Poster | Li Fangwang
