Chongqing - On November 26, the "Land Meets Sea: Mutual Learning and International Cultural Exchange" activity highlighted Chongqing's Baiheliang Underwater Museum, attracting media representatives from France, Nepal, Malaysia, and other countries to this cultural treasure beneath the Yangtze River.

Representatives from the global media industry are visiting the Baiheliang Underwater Museum. (Photo/Zheng Ran)

"The scale and complexity of the engineering involved in this project left an impression on me. It's unlike anything we have in Nepal, and seeing such advanced technology combined with cultural preservation was eye-opening," said Sarbottam Shrestha, former president of Nepal's Arniko Society.

The Baiheliang inscriptions are preserved in a pressure-free concrete structure that shields them from river erosion while balancing water pressure. This design enables visitors to view the relics up close through an underwater corridor.

The Baiheliang Ancient Hydrological Inscription. (Photo/Zheng Ran)

Dating back to the Tang Dynasty (764 AD), Baiheliang, known as the "world's first ancient hydrological station," has recorded over 1,200 years of low-water data critical to agricultural planning. In October 2023, efforts were launched to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for Baiheliang alongside Egypt's Nilometer.

"I was deeply impressed by the level of international collaboration on this project. It represents not only technical innovation but also a profound respect for history and cultural heritage. This is more than an engineering achievement—it's a bridge connecting science, culture, and global cooperation," he said.

Shrestha also highlighted Nepal's community-driven approach to cultural preservation, emphasizing the synergy between the government, local authorities, and communities. He pointed out that many Nepali artists are integrating traditional cultural elements with modern technologies such as AI.

In Malaysia, heritage preservation is deeply rooted in states like Penang and Malacca, which boast UNESCO-recognized sites. "These examples showcase Malaysia's rich history. Media plays an important role in preserving heritage, especially through documentaries, which help audiences understand the stories behind our history," said Nurashikin Zaharuddin, Managing Director of Happy Campers Productions.

Zaharuddin also emphasized the potential for Malaysia-China collaboration, noting shared cultural heritage and opportunities to deepen ties through similar stories.

France, renowned for preserving UNESCO sites such as Mont-Saint-Michel and Notre Dame, also sees emerging opportunities for cultural collaboration with China. Nicolas Deschamps, Producer of Real Works, noted, "We're working on documentaries about Zhangjiajie and the Sanxingdui discoveries. Topics like archaeology, science, nature, and cultural heritage provide numerous opportunities for cooperation."

Media representatives are rubbing Baiheliang's inscription. (Photo/Zheng Ran)