Afrika is sterk ondervertegenwoordigd op de Werelderfgoedlijst van Unesco met slechts 115 van de 1273 locaties. China probeert hier verandering in te brengen door financiële steun en begeleiding te bieden bij het nominatieproces. Dit initiatief past binnen de bredere pogingen van Beijing om de culturele banden met het continent te versterken.
Africa is home to ancient cities, rock art and striking natural landscapes, yet its sites are sorely under-represented on Unesco’s World Heritage List. According to data released by the UN body, of the 1,273 sites on the list – which are formally protected under the World Heritage Convention treaty – just 115 are in Africa. But as Beijing seeks closer cultural ties with the continent, it is offering help to change this through funding, guidance on how to navigate the nomination process and...