China and ASEAN embrace shared heritage
2026-07-09 13:59 China Daily
Xu Lubin, deputy director of the Bureau of Cultural Relics and Heritage Management under the Liangzhu Archaeological Site Administrative Committee in Zhejiang province, said technologies such as digital twin modeling, environmental monitoring and intelligent early-warning systems have helped transform the site from traditional manual inspections to a digital management system integrating archaeological research, conservation, and monitoring, while safeguarding its authenticity and improving management efficiency.
Such technological innovation is also creating new opportunities for cross-border cooperation. Heritage institutions in China and Southeast Asia are increasingly sharing digital tools and conservation experience as they confront common challenges.
The Yungang Research Institute has expanded exchanges with Cambodia's Angkor Wat through exhibitions and professional dialogues on heritage conservation.
Li Lihong, associate research librarian at the institute's Digital Conservation Center, said AI, 3D laser scanning and high-precision digital documentation are enabling researchers to preserve grottoes in unprecedented detail and even assist in the virtual restoration of damaged relics.
"AI is becoming an important tool for heritage conservation," Li said. "But technology cannot replace human expertise. Instead, it provides new possibilities for protecting and understanding cultural heritage."
Cambodia is exploring similar approaches in its own conservation work.
Im Sokrithy, director of the Department of Research, Training and Communication at Cambodia's APSARA National Authority, said digital twin technology is also being used at the Banteay Chhmar temple complex to support conservation and research. He expressed hope that China and ASEAN countries could build more open platforms for sharing data and expertise to better preserve heritage for future generations.




