In the first domestic inspection in May, General Secretary Xi Jinping chose Shanxi. On the afternoon of the first day, I came to Yungang Grottoes in Datong to investigate cultural heritage and exchanges.

  Yungang Grottoes is located in the southern foot of Wuzhou Mountain in the western suburbs of Datong City, Shanxi Province. It has a history of more than 1,500 years. It is one of the largest cave groups in China. It was included in the "World Heritage List" by UNESCO in 2001.

Sitting Statue of Sakyamuni at Cave 20 in Yungang Grottoes (Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Song)

  Less than a year ago, in August 2019, General Secretary Xi Jinping made a special trip to Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang during his inspection in Gansu. At that time, he clearly stated: "Protect our national quintessence", "Tell the story of Dunhuang" "Only the civilization with full confidence can tolerate, learn from, and absorb the outstanding achievements of various civilizations while maintaining its own characteristics."

  In fact, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly inspected cultural heritage as an important content in previous inspections.

  Observe the protection of the ancient city wall in Xi'an, the renovation of the old city and the repair and protection of historical and cultural buildings in Yongqing Square, Xiguan Historical and Cultural Street, Liwan District, Guangzhou, and the Guancheng in Jiayuguan and listen to the introduction of the protection of the Great Wall ...

Xi Jinping visits Jiayuguan Guancheng (Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi)

  In July 2017, shortly after Gulangyu was included in the "World Heritage List", General Secretary Xi Jinping made an important instruction: "The application is for better protection and utilization. It is necessary to sum up successful experience, learn from international concepts, and improve the long-term effective mechanism to put the old The cultural heritage left by the ancestors is carefully guarded so that the historical context can be passed on better. "

Panoramic view overlooking Gulangyu (photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jiang Kehong)

  Attention to cultural heritage reflects Xi Jinping's unique view of time. He once said: "Our understanding of time is not based on ten years or centuries, but on centuries and millennia."

  Behind the cultural heritage, it bears the historical development and highlights the infinite charm of civilization.

  The Chinese civilization has undergone more than 5,000 years of historical changes, but it has always been in the same vein. It accumulates the deepest spiritual pursuit of the Chinese nation and represents the unique spiritual identity of the Chinese nation.

  Opening the historical telescope, we can often see a different world.

  The deeper the accumulation, the stronger the confidence. At present, the domestic and international situation is changing, and various difficulties and challenges are unprecedented. During this special period, General Secretary Xi Jinping inspected the historical heritage of Chinese civilization and also sent a clear signal to the outside world to enhance the "four self-confidences."

  In this response to the New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic, the strong family feelings, the people-oriented state-run concept of governance, and the human vision of the whole world are all showing the genes of excellent traditional Chinese culture?

The audience visited the Liangzhu Museum (photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Weng Xinyang)

  When General Secretary Xi Jinping came to Yungang Grottoes this time, there was another deep meaning.

  Seen from the wider geographical coordinates, Yungang Grottoes are the result of the exchange and integration of different civilizations. Its sculptures have not only Indian and Central Asian art elements, but also Greek and Roman architectural shapes, decorative patterns, and image features, reflecting the integration of various Buddhist art statue styles.

Tourists visit the scenic area of ​​Yungang Grottoes (photo by Yan Yan, Xinhua News Agency)

  Since ancient times, culture has been the bridge of communication. Jian Zhen traveled east and Xuan Zang westward, and the class went beyond making the Western Regions, Zheng He go to the west ... The Chinese civilization is open and inclusive, and constantly absorbs and learns from the outstanding achievements of civilizations outside the region.

  In the new era, culture is also a key to opening the door of "diplomacy".

  In the ancient city of Xi’an, with Indian Prime Minister Modi, trace the ancient cultural exchanges between China and India, in the Acropolis Museum, with the Greek President Pavlopoulos, to learn about the future, and in Italy, talk with Prime Minister Conte about the protection and inheritance of the millennium ancient city France talked with President Macron about the Analects ... General Secretary Xi Jinping used culture as a link to promote dialogue between different civilizations, narrow the distance between countries and people, and make China's "friendship" more and more Big.

Asian Cultural Carnival held in Beijing (Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Yuwei)

  "Looking at the present is a good thing to learn from the ancients, and it is impossible to make the present happen." History is a mirror that illuminates the reality and the future. Only by understanding history and respecting history can we better grasp the present moment, and take history as a mirror and advance with the times to better move towards the future.

  Planning: Huo Xiaoguang

  Producer: Che Yuming, Zhang Xiaosong, Ju Peng

  Coordinator: Wang Min

  Main pen: Wang Peng

  Visual / Editor: Wang Qiuyun