A series of activities to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was held in Lijiang, Yunnan province on June 1, 2012.

Representatives from Lijiang Ancient Town, Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas and Yunnan Stone Forest came and discussed the protection of world heritages with experts and scholars.

Seven organizations including the World Wide Fund for Nature and Rare Conservation participated in the event. Kisshore Rao, director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center, attended the opening ceremony held in Lijiang ancient town. Kisshore Rao said that China has made positive contributions by preserving world heritages such as the Lijiang ancient town since its entry into the convention.

At the symposium on the protection of world heritage, the Laojunshan Protection and Management Bureau, Stone Forest Scenic Spot Management Bureau and Lijiang Dongba Culture Research Institute shared experiences with each other.

Edited by Zhao Qian and Rakhee M