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Royal Commission for AlUla, China’s Dunhuang Academy Partner to Enhance Heritage Conservation, Cultural Exchange

RCU and Dunhuang Academy will work closely to develop a comprehensive program of conservation that will extend to historic sites and artefacts in western China and AlUla. - SPA
RCU and Dunhuang Academy will work closely to develop a comprehensive program of conservation that will extend to historic sites and artefacts in western China and AlUla. - SPA
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Royal Commission for AlUla, China’s Dunhuang Academy Partner to Enhance Heritage Conservation, Cultural Exchange

RCU and Dunhuang Academy will work closely to develop a comprehensive program of conservation that will extend to historic sites and artefacts in western China and AlUla. - SPA
RCU and Dunhuang Academy will work closely to develop a comprehensive program of conservation that will extend to historic sites and artefacts in western China and AlUla. - SPA

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and Dunhuang Academy​ have signed a strategic partnership to expand cultural, touristic, and heritage collaborations between Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China.
According to an RCU press release issued on Wednesday, the partnership represents a pivotal milestone in Saudi-Chinese relations, bringing together Dunhuang Academy's eight decades of expertise in heritage research and cultural conservation with RCU's commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of AlUla.
The Dunhuang Academy is responsible for the management of the Magao Grottoes, a complex of 735 Buddhist caves in Gansu Province classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The Mogao Grottoes are renowned for their exquisite murals and sculptures, representing a fusion of cultural influences along the ancient Silk Road.
"The new agreement unites RCU and Dunhuang Academy as custodians of unique heritage, history, and tradition," said the release.
Dunhuang Academy’s legacy of safeguarding the Magao Grottoes has consistently earned praise from international institutions such as UNESCO, the World Bank, as well as the Chinese government, SPA reported.
RCU and Dunhuang Academy will work closely to develop a comprehensive program of conservation that will extend to historic sites and artefacts in western China and AlUla. They will also collaborate on hosting academic exhibitions and initiating exchange programs between staff and scholars from both institutions.
RCU VP of Strategic Partnerships Silvia Barbone said: “China and Saudi Arabia share a long and storied legacy that has united people and places across vast distances and through millennia. Today, our efforts within the global heritage space are empowered by successful collaborations with leading institutions and landmark destinations.”
The partnership follows the Saudi Travel Expo launched by the Saudi Tourism Authority, in which AlUla featured prominently. The exhibit was held in Beijing’s Tian Tan Garden, showcasing AlUla’s natural and cultural heritage.

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Sumo to Stage Event in Paris as Part of Global Push

People gather at the entrance of Ryogoku Kokugikan for the arrival of sumo wrestlers during the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on January 19, 2025. (AFP)
People gather at the entrance of Ryogoku Kokugikan for the arrival of sumo wrestlers during the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on January 19, 2025. (AFP)
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Sumo to Stage Event in Paris as Part of Global Push

People gather at the entrance of Ryogoku Kokugikan for the arrival of sumo wrestlers during the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on January 19, 2025. (AFP)
People gather at the entrance of Ryogoku Kokugikan for the arrival of sumo wrestlers during the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on January 19, 2025. (AFP)

Sumo will stage a tournament in Paris for the first time in over three decades next year in a push to expand the ancient sport beyond Japan, organizers said Sunday.

Accor Arena, which hosted basketball and gymnastics events at last year's Paris Olympics, will stage a two-day competition featuring top wrestlers in the French capital in June 2026.

Japan Sumo Association (JSA) officials announced last month that they will also stage a tournament later this year at London's Royal Albert Hall -- the first overseas sumo competition in 20 years.

"It's important for us to show our sport to the world," JSA chairman Hakkaku told reporters at Tokyo's Kokugikan, where the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament is currently taking place.

"And for the wrestlers, they're the best in the world, they should be proud of that and see that they're admired all over the world."

Paris hosted sumo tournaments in 1986 and 1995 at the invitation of former French president Jacques Chirac, who was known to be a huge fan of the centuries-old sport.

Hakkaku, who competed at the 1986 Paris event, said he was "grateful for the long and deep relations between sumo and France".

"We feel renewed joy and great responsibility as we prepare for our third performance in Paris in 2026," he said.

"We are committed to fully sharing the charm of sumo... with the French people."

French organizers said they would pull out all the stops to recreate the atmosphere of a sumo tournament in Japan.

David Rothschild, promoter and executive producer for events organizers AEG, said the Paris tournament would be part of a "festival" celebrating Japanese culture.

"When you say the word sumo, everyone in France knows it represents traditional Japanese culture," he said.

"There was a time when it was shown on TV and there are people in France who are very knowledgeable about it," Rothschild added.

"But time flies and we want to introduce the beauty of sumo to a new generation."

Sumo has staged events in several countries around the world, including the Soviet Union, Mexico and the United States.

The last overseas tournament organized by the JSA was in Las Vegas in 2005.

Hakkaku, the JSA chairman, said the association's efforts to bring sumo to audiences abroad were meant to "introduce people to the traditional culture of Japan".

"We thought a lot about how to develop our sport after Covid and I think this was the best idea, but it was already in our plans before that," he said.