Yellow River Conservancy Commission unveils first 20 heritage sites

The Yellow River Conservancy Commission, an affiliate to the Ministry of Water Resources, has announced the first batch of 20 heritages related to the management of the Yellow River.

These relics primarily consist of engineering sites, including ancient dikes, sluices and dams, as well as irrigation projects and hydrological stations, according to a media release from the commission.

The release stated that the construction of these relics spans from the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) to the period of socialist revolution and construction.

These relics are significant witnesses to the development and management of the Yellow River, dubbed as the mother river of the Chinese nation, by the people living along it over the centuries.

They hold substantial historical, technological, ecological, cultural and social value, reflecting the evolution of concepts for managing the Yellow River, the engineering techniques used to harness it, and the construction practices employed across different historical periods.

According to the commission, the selection of these heritage sites was based on guidelines issued earlier this year, which outline the selection criteria and aim to promote high-quality management and protection of such heritages.

The commission stated that it will further enhance the management and utilization of heritage sites related to the Yellow River, exploring their historical significance and contemporary value to better tell the stories of the mother river.

This effort aims to gather spiritual strength for the promotion of the high-quality development of water resources management in the Yellow River basin, it noted.