Along the Belt and Road, there are more than 400 world heritages distributed in 65 countries. Digital Belt and Road Heritage project (DBAR-HERITAGE) aims to use the spatial information technology such as remote sensing to get macro-grasp of the inherent authenticity and integrality of world heritage along the Belt and Road, finds the facing challenges of heritage conservation, and then puts forward the targeted protection solutions. By building the extensive international cooperation network in earth observation sciences and technologies, DBAR-HERITAGE can achieve deep sharing of the information and technology about natural and cultural heritage, including monitoring, protection, management, and utilization, and then DBAR-HERITAGE can contribute to the sustainable development of Silk Road.

The conservation and usage of world heritage along the Belt and Road are faced with serious challenges such as environmental degradation, destruction caused by the wars, terrorism, illegal excavation, over-tourism, and rapid urbanization, which should be coped by enhancing international cooperation among different countries along the Belt and Road. it is an urgent task for the observation and cognition of world heritage to enhance the coping capacity cooperatively, which calls for a multilateral and an international cooperation platform. in order to achieve meticulous observation and cognition of world heritages along the Belt and Road in multi-scale and multi-dimension, we should cooperate and utilize international library document resources, satellite imagery, and fundamental geographic information adequately, and then it can be beneficial for the acquisition of intensive data as well as the sharing of add-value products, supporting and servicing the culture leading strategy during the period of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The aims of DBAR-HERITAGE are firstly to uncover the evolution mechanism of cultural heritage responsing to the global change and human activities along the Belt and Road, and produce the scientific and practical protective measures; secondly to build the international scientific and technological cooperation platform for attracting and cultivating the influential innovative talents internationally; thirdly to undertake innovationoriented international research projects in the field of space archaeology and digital heritage under the DBAR Initiative, and jointly create a new discipline; fourthly to facilitate the dialogue among stakeholders in the world heritages and archaeological sites, the communities of earth observation and the policy makers along the BAR; fifthly to serve as the think tank and information source on conservation efforts along the BAR, by improving the applications of existing and emerging technologies, and promoting the conservation and sustainable development of world heritage.

The Progress of Collaboration Value basis, technological & organizational guarantee and driving force

The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, hosted by UNESCO, has gotten 192 countries to become members, and the value of world heritage conservation has been widely recognized. there are 65 countries along the BAR, and 63 of them have the world heritages, which is the common basis and value consensus for carrying out the conservation and utilization of world heritage.

Remote sensing could be macro, rapid, and accurate to identify the target features, satellite navigation technology could be precise to positioning, and geoinformation technology could be rapid and effective to carry out the spatial analysis. the great roles of these pioneering modern spatial information technologies have been demonstrated in the field of Space Archaeology and Heritage Conservation (Figure 1), and will most probably continue to further play a constructive role in the conservation of Silk Road in the future (Figure 2). Modern spatial information technologies are the technological guarantee for carrying out the cooperative research.

The International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST), a category-Ⅱ centre under the auspices of UNESCO, was proposed to UNESCO by the Chinese Academy of Sciences on May 18, 2007. On July 24, 2011, the launching ceremony of HIST was held in Beijing. This is the first UNESCO centre applying space technologies to the monitoring and conservation of world natural and cultural heritage sites. HIST's mission is to assist UNESCO's programmes and Member States that desire to receive such assistance on the use of applied space technologies for UNESCO's activities related to natural and cultural heritage, biosphere reserves, sustainable development, education, climate change, and natural disasters. HIST is one of the most important platforms for us to carry out the international science and technology collaboration along the BAR.

China has 50 world heritages, ranking second in the world after italy. By taking full advantages in cultural resources and modern technological powers, China shares the fruits of conservation and development of world heritage along the BAR, playing the responsibility role of a big country. this is the driving force for DBAR-HERITAGE to actively carry out the collaboration on protection and utilization of world heritage.

Progress of collaboration

Since 2011, HIST/RADI has been conducted several international cooperation project focusing on cultural and natural heritage with countries and regions in Asia, europe, Africa, and America. Angkor, a renowned world heritage site, attracts the global attentions from the public and experts for touring and carrying out the scientific research. The international cooperation project of "Remote Sensing for Environment of Angkor Site"(RSEA), initiated by Chinese Academy of Sciences, aims to carry out space archaeological prospection and monitor the dynamic changes of vegetation, water, land surface subsidence, and support capacity building and personnel training in the field of remote sensing. The research team will to carry out second phase of RSEA project with the APSAR, and launch the new cooperative project with NAPV. The extensive international collaborations were carried out between China and countries and regions concerned along the BAR, such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tunisia, Italy (Figure 6), as well as the Brazil and Solomon Islands, on world heritage protection and utilization.

Future deployment

On March 13, 2017, the launching ceremony and academic seminar of DBAR-HERITAGE International Working Group were jointly organized in Beijing by DBAR Gnitiative, HIST, and Gnternational Society for Digital Earth successfully. More than 60 experts, from USA, France, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Italy, Tunisia, Australia, and Congo (Kinshasa) as well as the UNESCO representatives, took part in these activities, which laid the solid foundation for DBAR-HERITAGE International Working Group to build the extensive and deep international collaboration related to the technology and methodology of Space Archaeology, the conservation of World Heritage and the exploitation and utilization of tourism in the future.

In the next decade, the DBAR-HERITAGE International Working Group will devote to the protection, utilization, and sustainable development of world heritage. And the DBAR-HERITAGE International Working Group will focus on 3 typical regions to carry out the cooperative research in the first 5 years: the comparative study of space archaeology will be carried out between China and North Africa and Mediterranean Regions, as a result of the urgent demands to advanced spatial information technologies in the arid land for archaeological purposes; the scientific action to monitoring and assessment the cultural heritage sites and archaeological landscapes will be conducted in South Asia and Central Asia, especially the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor; the comprehensive research on conservation and utilization strategies of the cultural heritage will be performed in the South China and Southeast Asia, in order to reveal the impact-response mechanisms of cultural heritages to global changes and human activities along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Understanding and Feeling of Representatives China: By using the common ideal of world heritage conservation, to create the international cooperation platform, supporting the global governance

There are 65 powers along the BAR, and 63 of them have the world heritages, and the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, hosted by UNESCO, has been widely recognized. China, one of the countries with the most world heritage properties, should make contribution to the common cause of all mankind and embody the image of a responsible big country by providing the actively actions, good demonstrations, and effective helps for the conservation of world heritage.

DBAR-HERITAGE will give full play to the connected function of the value consensus on world heritage and the coordinative function of the cultural soft power for promoting the construction of BAR Initiative. The strong common consensus on the conservation and utilization of world heritage could be regarded as the cooperation basis to countries and regions concerned along the BAR for communicating each other and connecting the Asia, Europe, Africa, and even the world, making the conservation and utilization of world heritage become the most extensive recognized cooperation platform, and building a trust, friendly, and harmonious world's new order. This is the lofty mission of the DBAR-HERITAGE International Working Group.

Tunisia

I was honored to visit the RADI, attend the launching ceremony of DBAR-HERITAGE International Working Group, and to meet the leadership team of DBAR Initiative. I have had the opportunity to see first-hand the advances made by the esteemed Institute in different fields of remote sensing related to human life management. The meeting with senior RADI (DABR Initiative) officials led to the inauguration of a new phase of cooperation between Tunisia and China within the DBAR Initiative.

I am pleased to see that the cooperation launched on January 20 between the RADI and the "Institut des RégionsArides" is consolidating further. Tunisia gives a great importance to the RADI's experience in a wide range of fields such as the preservation of the arid region's ecosystem, the fight against desertification and the preservation of the Tunisia's rich desert heritage.

I had also the opportunity to discuss ways and means to further enlarge our cooperation to cover new areas, in particular the protection of the national heritage and I was happy to see the enthusiasm formulated by the RADI to strengthen our collaboration in this important field, especially that Tunisia has more than 40, 000 archeological and natural sites, 8 of which are classified by the UNESCO as humanity's heritage.

I am confident that Tunisia, who supports strongly from the beginning the Belt and Road Initiative of H.E.M. Xi Jinping, Chairman of the People's Republic of China, will enhance its participation to the DBAR Initiative, one of the most important component of this great Initiative which (DBAR-HERITAGE) is dedicated to safeguard the Humanity's Memory and to ameliorate people's life condition.

I am glad to reiterate the strong willingness of the Tunisian Embassy to give any kind of support to succeed and extend the DBAR Initiative.

Pakistan:Significance of DBAR-HERITAGE Program for Pakistan

The region of Pakistan is an ancient and historic land which has been home to many civilizations. Already Pakistan has 6 sites inscribed on the world heritage list and another 18 are on the tentative list awaiting completion of formalities for inclusion in the WH list.

DBAR-HERITAGE is chiefly focused on the use of Earth observation sciences and technologies for creating an updated data base for the region along the BAR. Participation and cooperating in the DBAR-HERITAGE program provides an opportunity to explore and to cultivate/promote international, regional and national interest in the unique heritage sites of Pakistan. it is an opportunity to fill the gaps and gain access to and practical experience of new low cost technological and scientific tools/skills offered by China.

The program via the collaboration between CAS-RADI and CIIT envisages field work and many scientific undertakings which will help Pakistan to develop new strategies and tools for the cultural sites of the country. It will bring archaeology and heritage into the mainstream education and economic programs of the country and will contribute to the development of the economy in a sustainable manner in the future. The program opens up new avenues of cultural cooperation and friendship, develop cultural competences across the BAR region and will be a catalyst of confidence for many hitherto unknown mutual benefits.

Italy: DBAR Initiative adds an important dimension for mutual benefits to cultural heritage

Culture property is an important factor for economic development and local attractiveness in Italy as well as in other European countries. It is recognized as an important asset for local and regional economic development and therefore, today the major challenges are related to the need to set up smart management strategies to assure a sustainable exploitation and a long-term preservation of cultural properties.

The cultural heritage consists of cultural property (immovable and movable things which present artistic, historical, archaeological, ethno-anthropological, archival and bibliographical interest) and landscape assets (buildings and areas which are the expression of historical, cultural, natural, morphological, and aesthetic values of the land). Various aspects of science and technology applied to the protection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, including basic and applied research are carried out by CNR. One basic approach is the use of remote sensing for improving documentation, risk estimation, and management of cultural heritage.

The transnational cooperation inside DBAR Initiative adds an important dimension for mutual benefits based on exchange of best practices and experiences. This allows meaningful cooperation between diverse research institutions, fosters dynamism and innovation, accelerates productivity growth, and strengthens capacity buildings. Transnational cooperation inside DBAR Initiative brings inter-disciplinary and complementary expertise substantial for successfully management, monitoring, and preservation of natural and cultural heritage.

Sri Lanka: The roles of HIST on cultural heritage conservation in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has 6 cultural and 2 natural world heritage sites. Sri Lanka has long been at the crossroads of maritime trade in the indian Ocean. China and Sri Lanka have enjoyed long years of friendship, trust, and cooperation. As China extends infrastructure support and trading and commercial ties with nations along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, China-Sri Lanka relations can rise to a new level of importance.

HIST/RADI has established a partnership with the Arthur C Clarke institute of Modern technologies (ACCIMT). A virtual satellite ground station (VGS) has been installed in ACCIMT; possibilities for establishing Sri Lanka's first ever satellite data receiving ground station are being explored; and research studies are due to begin in the sacred city of Anuradhapura.

DBAR is a timely Initiative for further expanding HIST-ACCIMT partnership for space technology applications for conservation, monitoring, management, and sustainable development of natural and cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. The work of the DBAR-HERITAGE Working Group will be a major contributor to strengthening "people-to-people" relationships between China and Sri Lanka through sharing of data, information, experience, and knowledge on all aspects of natural and cultural heritage of the two countries.

Uzbekistan: Benefits of DBAR-HERITAGE to cultural heritage conservation in Uzbekistan

The connecting routes such as the Silk and Spice Roads served as the means of the early "globalization" spreading the cultural and technological innovations across long distances. Consequently, in Central Asia, in particular Uzbekistan, where socioeconomic blossoming of local civilizations was heavily dependent on functioning of the ancient trade routes, most of the archaeological sites are located along these ancient trade routes. Currently, Uzbekistan as the most favorable geographic area located between the largest and longest Central Asian rivers such as the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, which is considered as the cradle of Central Asian civilization, numbers at least 8000 archaeological sites dating back from the Upper Paleolithic to the late Medieval Period.

The Digital Belt and Road Initiative and specifically its DBAR-HERITAGE Project being promoted by an international research group and initiated by the institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth (RADI) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) serves as a mechanism that demonstrates the crucial role of Earth observation in cultural heritage conservation. The potential of the Initiative to use and apply the remotely sensed high-resolution imagery and implement international projects in space archaeology will yield a colossal support in building databases of archaeological sites at local, national, and regional levels. The objectives of the DBAR-HERITAGE for the next years in designing, development, and implementation of projects aiming at cultural heritage management are of mutual interest for both—the Uzbek archaeologists as well as their regional colleagues, therefore, these joint projects could serve as a potential solution for protection of archaeological heritage in Uzbekistan.

Cooperation of the Uzbek archaeologists, who are concentrated at the Institute of Archaeology of the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences and Chinese specialists in space archaeology by organizing joint research projects will greatly benefit the cultural heritage conservation and management in Uzbekistan.

Tunisia: Cooperative relationship between IRA and RADI inside the DBAR Initiative

Tunisia's place in history has served as the crossroads for many civilizations. This melting pot of history is what distinguishes Tunisia from other countries in the southern Mediterranean and its people, from other countries in North Africa and the Middle East.

Since its establishment in 1976, IRA has developed various geomatics related applications such as: desertification monitoring, natural resources inventory and mapping, land use dynamics, spatial modeling, wildlife monitoring, cultural and historical sites inventory, etc. It is in this context and due to many common objectives and interests, that IRA joined the RADI-DBAR Initiative.

For the time being, IRA is working closely with the DBAR-HERITAGE International Working Group since September 2016. Comparative (in the dry areas of China and Tunisia) studies have been launched to assess mainly the dynamics of land uses changes along the history using remote sensing and archeological evidences. So far, IRA participated in two important meetings held in Beijing and a joint field investigation mission is being planned for April 2017. Further cooperation activities will encompass joint publications and conferences, capacity building and exchange of students and scholars as well as sharing of satellite images archives and digital Earth databases.

Greece: Benefits of InSAR to cultural heritage conservation

Greece, generally considered the cradle of Western civilization, has 17 UNESCO World heritage sites. Cultural heritage is a key element of history, the ancient monuments and archaeological sites enrich today's societies and help connect us to our cultural origins. Protection and conservation of our cultural assets for future generations in the face of various natural or anthropogenic hazards is a major concern nowadays. Preservation and management of archaeological sites, taking into account sustainable principles, would enhance the local economy by attracting more visitors and sponsors. Reducing the impact of natural/man-made disasters on the human cultural heritage sites is a fundamental research goal. Unfortunately, most historical buildings in many countries are still unmonitored. Cultural heritage is our inheritance from the past, which we live with today and which we have a responsibility to bestow to the future generations. InSAR, aside from broadening our fundamental understanding of the impact of Earth's deformation on archaeological monuments and sites, is the preservation of our culture. Also an international based effort would offer transfer of technology and knowledge among the participated countries, which have numerous cultural heritage sites of great importance.

Cyprus: Roles of Earth observation sciences and technologies on cultural heritage conservation in Cyprus

Cyprus has a long and rich history that goes back to around the 10th millennium BC, with testimonies from the earliest known human activity on the island. Due to its strategic importance, Cyprus is considered as a crossroad of civilizations which influenced and left their mark in the island. The preservation, protection, and monitoring of these sites are challenging, while the use of modern technology is essential to address natural and anthropogenic hazards, including climate change impact. During the last years, the "Archaeology & Cultural Heritage Section" of the Eratosthenes Research Center at the Cyprus University of Technology, is focused in applied and pure research in the areas of earth observation, remote sensing, and geoinformation for supporting archaeological research. The application and the development of novel strategies can assist towards the systematic monitoring and protection of our common heritage.