The 2025 Beijing Central Axis Cultural Heritage Inheritance and Innovation Competition concluded in Beijing on November 22.

As the first competition held since the successful inscription of the Beijing Central Axis on the World Heritage List, this year's event, themed "Focusing on the Central Axis Legacy, Promoting Innovative Inheritance," ran for nearly five months after its launch on Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, June 14. It gathered over 5,000 entries from domestic and international participants, involved more than 100,000 direct participants, and reached an audience of nearly 600,000 people, establishing itself as a key platform for disseminating the cultural heritage value of the Central Axis and fostering public engagement.

The competition featured six main categories: Short Video, Micro-drama, Graphic Design, Music in Motion along the Axis, Tech-Infused Axis, and Youth Ambassador. These categories interpreted the cultural significance of the Central Axis from various perspectives, including visual communication, artistic creation, technological empowerment, and youth inheritance.

During the award ceremony, Jingzhao QR Code (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. utilized 3D QR code visual recognition technology to create a dedicated display wall for over 60 winning works. Each 3D QR code comprehensively contained the participant's information, work content, and creative inspiration, showcasing a dynamic blend of cultural creativity and technological prowess.

The competition placed special emphasis on participation from youth. The "Youth Ambassador" category attracted participants from 29 provincial-level regions across China, receiving thousands of entries in various forms such as speeches, talent shows, intangible cultural heritage displays, and proposals. This category also emphasized practical research and interdisciplinary integration, for instance, through schools organizing students to visit heritage sites along the Central Axis, like Jingshan Park, for project-based learning. The selection of 11 "Young Cultural Disseminators" and 5 outstanding teams demonstrated the younger generation's deep understanding and innovative interpretation of the Central Axis culture.

Yu Ping, Deputy Director of the competition's expert committee, stated in the summary report: "Marking the first anniversary of the successful World Heritage inscription, the competition has evolved from 'Supporting the Bid' to 'Innovative Utilization of Heritage.' With 'New Starting Point, New Positioning' at its core, it focuses on the dissemination and innovative transformation of cultural value. The competition will strive to deepen the integration of innovative outcomes with industries such as education, tourism, and cultural creativity, ensuring that the achievements of Beijing Central Axis heritage protection benefit the public more broadly."

Guided by the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage and the Beijing Central Axis Conservation Office for World Heritage Nomination, the competition was jointly organized by the Beijing Public Foundation for Central Axis Conservation and the Beijing Central Axis Heritage Preservation Center.

Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Congxiao

Editor Ⅱ: Bao Gang

Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong