RIYADH: The Royal Commission for AlUla and Dunhuang Academy have signed a strategic partnership to enhance cultural, tourism and heritage collaborations between Saudi Arabia and China.

This partnership marks a key milestone in Saudi Arabia-China relations, combining the academy’s 80 years of expertise in heritage research and cultural conservation with the commission’s dedication to preserving AlUla’s cultural heritage. 

The academy manages the Magao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 735 Buddhist caves in Gansu province, famous for their murals and sculptures that reflect Silk Road cultural influences.

The agreement unites the organizations as guardians of unique heritage, history and traditions, according to a recent press release.

The academy’s successful preservation of the Magao Grottoes has earned praise from UNESCO, the World Bank, and the Chinese government.

Both entities will collaborate on a conservation program for historic sites and artifacts in AlUla and western China. They will also organize academic exhibitions and exchange programs for staff and scholars.

Silvia Barbone, vice president of strategic partnerships at the commission, said that China and Saudi Arabia share a rich legacy that has connected people and places across vast distances and centuries.

“Today, our work in global heritage is strengthened by successful collaborations with leading institutions and destinations.”

Barbone added that the academy joins the commission in “our goal to establish northwest Arabia as a hub for research, exploration, and discovery in culture, heritage, tourism, and more, as we drive the regeneration of AlUla.” 

The partnership follows the Saudi Travel Expo, organized by the Saudi Tourism Authority, where AlUla was prominently featured. The event, held in Beijing’s Tian Tan Garden in October 2024, highlighted AlUla’s natural and cultural heritage.

Su Bomin, director of Dunhuang Academy, said this collaboration was a significant step in “bridging our cultural histories and advancing heritage conservation efforts.

“By sharing our expertise and resources, we aim to foster cultural exchange, deepen mutual understanding, and create innovative programs that will benefit communities in both China and Saudi Arabia.”

In January 2024, the “AlUla, Wonder of Arabia” exhibition, featuring artifacts from the commission’s archaeological collection on public display for the first time, was hosted at Beijing’s Forbidden City UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Attracting over 220,000 visitors, the exhibition followed the signing of a partnership agreement between the commission and the Cultural Heritage Administration of China’s Henan province.