The Great Wall of China was built for protection, but now it's in need of guardians to preserve the 2,000-year-old structure.

Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in.

When a part of the Great Wall section in Liaoning started to crumble in 2016, authorities paved it over with cement to keep it safe, sparking outrage. Other sections had been transformed into tourist attractions complete with cable cars. 

But China’s approach towards restoration has since been marked by a saying - “to go along with the layers, the slopes, the curves, the old and the dilapidated” - one tended to carefully by local villagers-turned-craftsmen.

In this episode, ST’s foreign editor Li Xueying speaks with China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei about how China’s attitudes towards historical heritage restoration have shifted, and why.   

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:45 Three men, one mission

2:58 Thinking about heritage preservation

8:08 What the Great Wall means to younger Chinese

10:16 A China correspondent’s Great Wall climbs 

Read Dawn’s article here: https://str.sg/FofV

Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR

Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters 

Host: Li Xueying (xueying@sph.com.sg)

Edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7  

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa 

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Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

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#STAsianInsider

The Great Wall of China was built for protection, but now it's in need of guardians to preserve the 2,000-year-old structure.
Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in.
When a part of the Great Wall section in Liaoning started to crumble in 2016, authorities paved it over with cement to keep it safe, sparking outrage. Other sections had been transformed into tourist attractions complete with cable cars.&nbsp; But China&rsquo;s approach towards restoration has since been marked by a saying - &ldquo;to go along with the layers, the slopes, the curves, the old and the dilapidated&rdquo; - one tended to carefully by local villagers-turned-craftsmen.
In this episode, ST&rsquo;s foreign editor Li Xueying speaks with China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei about how China&rsquo;s attitudes towards historical heritage restoration have shifted, and why.&nbsp; &nbsp;
Highlights (click/tap above):
0:45 Three men, one mission
2:58 Thinking about heritage preservation
8:08 What the Great Wall means to younger Chinese
10:16 A China correspondent&rsquo;s Great Wall climbs&nbsp;
Read Dawn&rsquo;s article here: <a href="https://str.sg/FofV">https://str.sg/FofV</a>
Read Li Xueying&rsquo;s articles: <a href="https://str.sg/iqmR">https://str.sg/iqmR</a>
Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: <a href="https://str.sg/ip4x">https://str.sg/ip4x</a>
Register for Asian Insider newsletter:<a href="https://str.sg/stnewsletters"> https://str.sg/stnewsletters</a>&nbsp;
Host: Li Xueying (<a href="mailto:xueying@sph.com.sg">xueying@sph.com.sg</a>)
Edited by: Fa&rsquo;izah Sani
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here:
Channel: <a href="https://str.sg/JWa7">https://str.sg/JWa7</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://str.sg/JWa8">https://str.sg/JWa8</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://str.sg/JWaX">https://str.sg/JWaX</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
ST Podcast website: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
ST Podcasts YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa">https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>&nbsp;
---
Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: <a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
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#STAsianInsider

Get our uniquely Asian perspective on global issues, with ST’s correspondents from around the world.

Synopsis: Every Friday, get our distinct take on global issues with an Asian perspective, with ST’s globally-based correspondents.

Produced and edited by: Fa'izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every Friday, get our distinct take on global issues with an Asian perspective, with ST’s globally-based correspondents.
Produced and edited by: Fa'izah Sani
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Asian Insider

Synopsis: Every Friday, get our distinct take on global issues with an Asian perspective, with ST’s globally-based correspondents.
Produced and edited by: Fa'izah Sani
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

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