THE Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall in China were visited by a delegation from Fiji as part of their itinerary while attending a two-week seminar on Digital Culture Construction for the Belt and Road Countries, organised by the Chinese Government.
Thirty-five experts from the IT and cultural sectors in the Belt and Road countries, including Fiji, were part of the seminar, where they learned to integrate certain skills that could be applied for development in their various countries.
Suva City Councils Information Technology (IT) specialist Albert Wong and The Fiji Times journalist Josefa Sigavolavola were selected by the Chinese Cultural Centre and the Chinese Embassy in Fiji to represent the country at the seminar.
During their travel, the duo visited the Temple of Heaven with more than 600 years of history, located south of the Beijing province, and is regarded as a world heritage site under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The site, built during the Ming and Qing dynasties, was once of religious significance where emperors prayed for good harvests, exemplifying China’s traditional belief in ancient times.
Today, the temple attracts 100,000 visitors on a daily basis.
At the Great Wall, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the delegation explored watch towers and historic sites which offered a deeper understanding of China’s heritage, strengthening their commitment through cultural exchange with countries participating at the seminar.
The Belt and Road Initiative was established by China in 2013 to create inclusivity and boost cooperation for progress in 144 developing countries across the globe.
The seminar included delegations from the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Fiji representing Oceania.
The event was hosted at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, Beijing province’s hub for culture and tourism.
Note: This article was first published on the print version of the Fiji Times dated June 25, 2025
