Highlights
By Zhu Jingning
On the 10th anniversary of the Grand Canal of China being listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, Chinese and French experts, as well as international students, were invited to take a leisurely stroll along the illustrious Grand Canal in Linping district. They immersed themselves in the captivating essence of Linping’s culture and technology. The experts also engaged in a discussion about the preservation, advancement, and innovation pathways of the Grand Canal.
Canal walk to discover ancient and modern life
Olivier Greder, a French professor and dean of the Urban Design Department at the School of Architecture at the China Academy of Art, who often leads students here for sketching, is an old friend of Tangqi Ancient Town. When Olivier set foot on the familiar Guangji Bridge again, he warmly introduced this historic stone bridge to Nicolas Piaia, director of L’Alliance Française de Hangzhou, who was visiting the water town for the first time.
Walking along the river, they consulted locals about the current environmental protection situation in the ancient town. The group also watched a wonderful shadow play performance and admired bronze artworks created by master artist Zhu Bingren.
Zhu’s two copper artworks, Burning Sunflower and Love Connecting the East and West, were part of a grand exhibition of Chinese arts themed “De Beijing à Paris: Le Parcours Olympique des Artistes Franco-Chinois” in Paris last month. The same series of copper sculptures were displayed at the Zhu Bingren Grand Canal Art Museum, where the group took photos and marveled at the exquisite works.
The continual flow of the Grand Canal has brought new vitality to the people, as more enterprises have settled in Linping District. The group visited Wanfeng Tenon & Mortise to learn classic Chinese architectural techniques with great interest. Olivier carefully observed and confirmed the structure and steps before starting, and became the first person to complete the construction on-site.
“That’s awesome and futuristic! The motor is heavy and hard to steer, but it feels like I am on a racetrack!” Chee Man Shing Marie Anne Lise Ahnuck from Mauritius exclaimed after visiting Linping Intelligent Manufactory Branding Center, where she experienced a thrilling race on an AI motorcycle. The center offers visitors a one-stop tech and fun experience with Linping products in an interactive way.
Canal talk on new chapter for all
During the discussion session, the Chinese and French experts had an insightful discussion about the development of the Canal.
Nicolas said that he saw the past and present of the Canal, and felt the synergistic coexistence of modernity and tradition. He emphasized that the residents along the canal can become the protagonists of its development. If they love this place, they will consciously protect and promote it. “The Canal is not only a tourist attraction, but also a place for people to live and settle. I hope that people can continue to live a good life while inheriting and protecting this heritage.”
Olivier has taken the water bus from Wulinmen Pier to Tangqi and other quays many times, walking through the streets and alleys beside the Canal. “We need to rethink the shipping value of the Canal,” he said, noting the complex system of canal shipping and the newly-opened second passage of the Canal: “The Grand Canal is like an artery, where we can feel the beating heart of urban civilization.”
Yao Ningyan from the Linping District Grand Canal Science and Technology City Management Committee introduced their efforts in building an efficient linkage mechanism between the industrial innovation chain and the urban service chain, and carefully creating an urban environment along the Canal suitable for business, living, and travel.
“I hope the cultural ties between China and France will be as enduring as the ancient Ming Dynasty bridge,” shared the two French guests, extending their wishes for the Canal to become a model of geoengineering and a project for peace and prosperity.