The making of the Grand Canal in China: beyond knowledge and power

The inscription of the Grand Canal of China on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014 was not a straightforward process dictated solely by state power. Instead, it involved complex negotiations among diverse human and non-human factors, including state authorities, local bureaus, hydraulic projects, archaeological findings, and built environments. This study reveals that the final nomination dossier emerged from compromises among these varied agencies, challenging conventional critiques of World Heritage processes. By employing an actor-network approach, the research highlights a dynamic web of relationships co-produced by competing forces and interests, offering new insights into the interplay between heritage significance and state power.

Yan, H. (2020). The making of the Grand Canal in China: beyond knowledge and power. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 27(6), 584–600. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2020.1846069