Xiamen and Taiwan push cultural heritage protection amid urban development

In Xiamen, Chinese authorities have integrated cultural heritage preservation into the city’s modernization agenda. Citing Xi Jinping’s guidance on safeguarding historic urban fabric, the municipal government launched a comprehensive plan for Gulangyu Island, including a full inventory of historic trees, buildings and sites. The 2026 five‑year development outline further embeds heritage protection within broader economic and social goals, continuing a decades‑long effort that has restored over 400 immovable cultural relics.

In Taiwan’s Nantou County, local scholars and heritage advocates are debating the fate of a 200‑year‑old door‑god painting in the Chongben Hall of Zhushan. The artwork, linked to renowned painter Kuo Huan‑chang, is seen as a vital record of regional craft, religious practice and community identity. Advocates argue that preservation should precede any restoration or replacement, emphasizing the irreversible loss that would occur if the original piece were altered or removed.

Both cases illustrate a growing emphasis on protecting irreplaceable cultural assets while balancing the pressures of urban growth and tourism development.