The historical region of Huizhou, now known as Huangshan, in east China's Anhui Province, has seen its "Millennium Genealogical Records" listed on UNESCO's "Memory of the World Register for Asia and the Pacific," underscoring the region's historical and cultural significance.

The records were included alongside two other significant documents from China -- Chengdu's old teahouse archives and Dege's printing blocks -- by the Memory of the World Register for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP), a regional branch of UNESCO's global Memory of the World Programme, as announced by China's National Archives Administration on Wednesday.
Huizhou is celebrated not just for its breathtaking landscapes, such as Mount Huangshan, but also for its rich cultural heritage that has flourished beneath these heights. The allure of this region extends from its natural beauty to its deep historical roots.
Within the Huangshan Municipal Archives, one can trace centuries of familial legacies. The collection of records consists of 427 titles in 2,235 volumes, documenting nearly a thousand years of history from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) to the year 1949.
These records are foundational to understanding the traditional governance and societal structures based on clans and gentry in Huizhou.
These archives are more than historical records; they tell the stories of the enduring legacy of Huizhou families, detailing their interactions and cultural integrations over millennia. The global impact and historical depth of these families paint a vivid picture of the region's past.
For instance, the Wang family's genealogy, dating back to the Qing dynasty, includes 10 precepts focused on filial piety and fraternity. These principles have profoundly influenced generations, promoting ethical conduct and family loyalty, and preserving good family traditions and moral virtues.
The "Millennium Genealogical Records of Huizhou" are invaluable not just as historical accounts of various eras but also as chronicles of significant events, local customs, landmarks, and origins of festivals related to these families. They are essential resources for disciplines like archival science, history, cultural anthropology, and folklore studies.
Wang Zhaohui, director of Huangshan Municipal Archives who also oversees the MOWCAP application for the Huizhou documents, emphasized their significance.
"The 'Millennium Genealogical Records of Huizhou' are an integral part of Huizhou's documents. By nominating them for the Memory of the World Register for Asia and the Pacific, we can better provide foundational and supportive archival materials for the study of Huizhou and Chinese history, promoting the protection and development of the world's memory heritage," said Wang.