The 9th Conference on Agricultural Heritage Systems kicks off on Friday in Xinhua county of Loudi, Hunan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 9th Conference on Agricultural Heritage Systems kicked off on Friday in Xinhua county of Loudi, Hunan province, aiming to explore new paths to boost rural vitalization and promote cross-sector integrated development with agricultural heritage.

A series of activities is scheduled during the event, including keynote speeches, a plenary session on agricultural heritage systems, a field investigation into the conservation and development of the Ziquejie Terraces in Xinhua, and a promotion meeting for Loudi's inbound tourism.

The 9th Conference on Agricultural Heritage Systems kicks off on Friday in Xinhua county of Loudi, Hunan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Carlos Aldeco, a Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations representative in China, said in a video speech at the conference that China is one of the pioneering countries that has responded to the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems Initiative, with 25 of the world's 99 designated GIAHS sites located in the country.

The Ziquejie Terraces in Xinhua county, Hunan province, are built on hills with a height of 500 to 1,200 meters and a slope of 30 to 50 degrees. [Photo by Zeng Wengui / For chinadaily.com.cn]

"The Ziquejie Terraces, recognized as a GIAHS site in 2018, are spectacular agricultural and natural wonders," Aldeco said. "The recognition has increased Ziquejie and other terraces' popularity, attracted more tourists and promoted local economic growth, and more importantly, it has raised people's awareness of its conservation."

The Ziquejie Terraces in Xinhua county, Hunan province, are built on hills with a height of 500 to 1,200 meters and a slope of 30 to 50 degrees. [Photo by Zeng Wengui / For chinadaily.com.cn]

Parviz Koohafkan, founder and president of the World Agricultural Heritage Foundation, emphasized the importance of promoting dynamic conservation of the agricultural heritage systems. "If we don't take care of existing systems, they will disappear in many places," he said.

The Ziquejie Terraces in Xinhua county, Hunan province, are built on hills with a height of 500 to 1,200 meters and a slope of 30 to 50 degrees. [Photo by Zeng Wengui / For chinadaily.com.cn]

The Ziquejie Terraces originate from the Qin (221-206 BC) and Han (206 BC-AD 220) dynasties. They are built on hills with a height of 500 to 1,200 meters and a slope of 30 to 50 degrees.

The Ziquejie Terraces in Xinhua county, Hunan province, are built on hills with a height of 500 to 1,200 meters and a slope of 30 to 50 degrees. [Photo by Zeng Wengui / For chinadaily.com.cn]

Zeng Chaoqun, Party secretary of Loudi, said the city has been promoting the multi-dimensional integration of terrace conservation with cultural tourism, study tours, and intangible cultural heritage inheritance. "This effort aims to vitalize the heritage, boost industries, and increase villagers' income," he said.

The Ziquejie Terraces in Xinhua county, Hunan province, are built on hills with a height of 500 to 1,200 meters and a slope of 30 to 50 degrees. [Photo by Zeng Wengui / For chinadaily.com.cn]