The latest addition reflects both China's decades-long commitment to preserving cultural heritage and a broader vision in which heritage protection is increasingly integrated into national development, cultural preservation and international exchanges. The road to World Heritage status often requires years of preparation and difficult trade-offs between preservation and development. At World Heritage sites such as Jiuzhaigou, Wulingyuan and the karst landscapes around Guilin, tourism revenue now accounts for more than half of local GDP. China has long cooperated with international heritage organizations in areas such as conservation research, digital technology and capacity building. For Xi, heritage protection is not simply about preserving the past, but also about ensuring continuity for future generations.