China's capital city Beijing has unveiled a comprehensive plan for historical and cultural heritage protection and inheritance from 2023 through 2035, aimed at strengthening the conservation of the city's rich cultural legacy. 

According to a press conference Thursday, the plan offers a detailed framework to address the critical questions of what to protect, how to protect it, and how to ensure its enduring relevance.

"The plan highlights Beijing's unparalleled significance in the development of Chinese civilization," said Niu Rui, an official of the Capital Planning and Construction Commission. 

Niu explained that Beijing's heritage is characterized by its role as a witness to early human-environment interactions in East Asia, its status as a millennia-old capital showcasing the zenith of ancient Chinese urban planning, its transformation into a modern state symbolizing governance innovation, and its function as a hub for cultural exchange among civilizations, cultures, and ethnic groups.

The plan outlines systematic measures for enhancing preservation, including managing heritage lists more effectively, integrating conservation goals with spatial planning, and establishing a spatial framework referred to as "Two Hills, One Bay; Two Zones, Two Axes; Three Belts, Multiple Areas."

It also prioritizes the protection of historical sites during urban renewal, improving access to cultural landmarks, upgrading living conditions in historical neighborhoods, and fostering regional collaboration with Tianjin and Hebei for cultural conservation efforts.

"Looking forward, we will focus on comprehensive protection efforts in key areas such as the old city, the 'Three Hills and Five Gardens,' the 'Two Axes,' and the three cultural belts," Niu said. 

Modern technology will be employed to improve research, interpretation, and public engagement, ensuring that heritage protection adapts to contemporary needs, Niu added.

Beijing boasts over 3,000 years of urban history and 870 years as the Chinese capital.