The Grand Canal National Cultural Park (Dezhou) Forum kicked off in Dezhou, Shandong province on Feb 18, which promoted the preservation and good usage of the original and ancient appearance of the Dezhou section of the Grand Canal.

The Grand Canal National Cultural Park (Dezhou) Forum kicks off in Dezhou, Shandong province on Feb 18. （Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn）

Themed on "Original Ancient Appearance, Innovation and Inheritance", the two-day event attracted government officials, experts and scholars as well as more than 100 well-known domestic cultural tourism enterprises.

"We should fully understand the strategic position of the Grand Canal as a vital cultural, economic and ecological corridor in China and improve the level of protection and management of its global cultural heritage. We adhere to the people-centered concept, give full play to the fulcrum role of cultural relics and promote the sustainable development of regions along the canal," Guan Qiang, deputy director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, said at the forum.

Dezhou section of the Grand Canal （Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn）

Bai Yugang, head of the Information Office of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee, said that being located in the middle section of the canal, the province shoulders great responsibilities to cooperate with surrounding provinces and cities to preserve the canal. Shandong should showcase the canal's cultural connotations by building an all-for-one tourism belt and launching characteristic projects.

Sun Ying, president of China Construction Technology Consulting Co Ltd, said that coordinating the economic and social development of the regions along the canal is of great significance to further enhancing self-confidence and helping Shandong become a modern and powerful province in the new era. "The company will do a good job in the protection, inheritance and utilization of the canal," he said.

Tian Weidong, Party secretary of Dezhou, said the city is creating a leisure tourism destination and a new highland for cultural innovation.

Dezhou promotes the preservation and good usage of the original and ancient appearance of the Grand Canal. （Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn）