**China News Service – Kuala Lumpur, September 16**
**Insights from the Beijing Central Axis: An Exclusive Interview with Malaysian Scholar Zhang Jianwen**
**Interviewer: Chen Yue**
As the 2024 Beijing Cultural Forum approaches, Malaysian scholar Zhang Jianwen reflects on his recent experience as part of a UNESCO expert team that surveyed the Beijing Central Axis in 2023 as it seeks World Heritage status.
**Interviewer:** As an expert from the International Council on Monuments and Sites, what are your thoughts on the Beijing Central Axis and its significance?
**Zhang Jianwen:** The concept of the Beijing Central Axis as a cultural landmark is fairly contemporary, but it stems from the long-standing development of Chinese civilization, encapsulating the extensive cultural heritage of this nation.
Essentially, the Beijing Central Axis represents the heart of Beijing. Historically, this area was home to crucial ceremonial structures, important resources, and the mechanisms of imperial governance. The heritage application encapsulates all the essential elements that express its cultural value while also establishing adequate buffer zones. This ensures that, as a World Heritage site, it serves as a preservation tool without overwhelming urban life.
The axis symbolizes the essence, core, and elevation of Chinese classical culture. It features a meticulous arrangement of palatial architecture, with royal palaces facing the front and bustling markets at the rear, ancestral temples to the left, and state sacrifice altars to the right. The markets signify economic power supporting the nation, whereas the altars highlight the historical significance of agriculture to the Chinese way of life. This layout mirrors traditional Chinese political ideals. In light of today’s global discussions about food security, it’s evident that ancient Chinese society had a governance model that emphasized the importance of agriculture long before its time.
Thus, delving into the Central Axis inherently means grappling with its reflections on governance and lifestyle throughout Chinese history, which can offer profound insights into traditional Chinese culture.
**Interviewer:** What characteristics of Chinese civilization does the Beijing Central Axis represent, and how do these insights contribute to global cultural exchange and mutual learning?
**Zhang Jianwen:** The Beijing Central Axis exemplifies one of the defining traits of Chinese civilization: its continuity. During my architectural studies in the UK, I discovered that while Chinese architecture has evolved in terms of concepts and methodologies, its stylistic elements remain firmly rooted in continuity, as opposed to the frequent revolutions seen in the West. Even today, in China’s most modern regions, the essence of Chinese identity is markedly alive.
Moreover, moderation, balance, and harmony are intrinsic to both the Beijing Central Axis and the wider framework of Chinese civilization. The axis captures the core values of traditional Chinese culture, illustrating the relationship between humanity and nature—an idea celebrated in the works of ancient Chinese artists.
Architecturally, the Beijing Central Axis integrates a diverse array of elements—different shapes, lines, and colors—into a cohesive whole, allowing each to retain its individuality. This artistic philosophy reflects a cultural and social framework that values cooperation and mutual understanding. While acknowledging differences and conflicts, Chinese culture advocates for dialogue as a means to foster tolerance and diversity, an approach that is particularly relevant for global mutual learning.
Additionally, the Beijing Central Axis emphasizes traditional Chinese political values. The Ministry of Rites, a crucial institution in ancient China, is prominently positioned along the axis. Historically, the emperor’s actions were guided by “li” (ritual), which included agricultural sacrifices tied to the “Mandate of Heaven.” Such rituals highlighted the ruler’s duty to ensure the welfare and satisfaction of the populace. Understanding these political ideologies represented in the Beijing Central Axis enriches our comprehension of present-day China.
**Interviewer:** As someone from Malaysia, how do you believe the Beijing Central Axis influences Malaysian and Southeast Asian cultures?
**Zhang Jianwen:** At this year’s Beijing Cultural Forum, I plan to present a comparative analysis of the Beijing Central Axis and various Southeast Asian cities.
Historically, many prominent capitals in China have featured similar central axes, profoundly impacting surrounding cultures. For example, ancient Japan drew heavily from the architectural styles of the Tang dynasty.
Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most diverse regions and has also been significantly informed by Chinese civilization. The Chinese ideal of harmony amidst diversity facilitates collaboration across different nations, enabling them to blend their multicultural landscapes and avoid conflict. Even in varied contexts where views may diverge, cooperation and mutual understanding can pave the way for unity.
A noteworthy example is Yogyakarta in Indonesia, one of Java Island’s oldest cities, which was once the capital of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. I’ve observed that since the 18th century, rulers there have constructed their city around a central axis, known as the “Cosmic Axis,” which aligns with the northern Merapi Volcano and stretches to the sea, oriented south to north due to its Southern Hemisphere location—quite different from the Beijing Central Axis.
In the 1990s, while exploring the narrow alleys and hutongs of Beijing, I noted the city’s commitment to upgrading infrastructure while maintaining traditional community layouts. Twelve years ago in Yogyakarta, I witnessed a similar dedication to urban conservation, enhancing sanitation and urban services while respecting cultural heritage and history. Such practices are vital for sustainable urban development.
**Interviewee Background:**
**Zhang Jianwen (Ar Tiong Kian Boon)**, a native of Malacca, Malaysia, studied at the Canterbury College of Arts in the UK. He has served as the Chairman of the Malaysian Council for Monuments and Sites. A distinguished architect specializing in heritage conservation, Zhang has evaluated both the Beijing Central Axis and India’s Patadakkal complex as a UNESCO expert. He is a lifetime member of the Malaysian Heritage Trust and has led numerous heritage conservation projects, focusing on the restoration and revitalization of historical cities along the Strait of Malacca.
