The Haitan Strait of Pingtan, known as the "Golden Waterway," is set to breathe new life as underwater archaeology uncovers a wealth of cultural heritage. This region, resembling an unsinkable giant vessel amidst the Taiwan Straits, has witnessed the passage of countless ships over the millennia. Now, Pingtan stands at the forefront of discovering, preserving, researching, utilizing, and passing on these invaluable cultural artifacts as it enters a new era of maritime exploration.

The Haitan Strait is characterized by treacherous reefs and prevailing southerly winds in summer, making it one of the world's most challenging wind zones and a significant hub for wind power generation in China. These complex maritime conditions, coupled with the scattered reefs and harsh weather, have left behind a rich underwater cultural heritage in the Haitan Strait. 

According to archaeology expert Professor Jiang Bo from Shandong University's Institute of Cultural Heritage, the strait has historically served as a crucial passage for maritime trade due to its proximity to coastal ports. Goods transported by smaller vessels would hug the coast for navigation and resupply, making the Haitan Strait an essential stop along the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

Since 2005, the National Cultural Heritage Administration has conducted continuous explorations and excavations of underwater cultural heritage in the Haitan Strait. Notable discoveries include the salvage excavation of the Qing Dynasty shipwreck known as the Bowl Reef No.1 which yielded over 17,000 exquisite blue-and-white porcelain artifacts from the Emperor Kangxi period. Subsequently, the Niangong shipwreck dating back to the Five Dynasties period, the Southwest Islet shipwreck from the Song Dynasty, and the Jiuliang Reef shipwreck from the Ming Dynasty were also unearthed. These underwater cultural remains provide a complete historical timeline spanning from the Five Dynasties to the Qing Dynasty, serving as vital physical evidence for the study of the Maritime Silk Road.

“The Haitan Straits stand out as one of the most concentrated waters with rich underwater cultural relics in China,” explained Gan Caichao, an archaeologist. Currently, twelve underwater sites have been identified, serving as crucial tangible evidence for research into the Maritime Silk Road.

The ongoing Pingtan Haitan Strait Underwater Archaeological Site Park will integrate seamlessly with Pingtan's Shipaiyang Rock Sail tourist attraction. The "Golden Waterway" of the Haitan Strait will be revitalized from an archaeological perspective, injecting new vitality into the region. "This initiative contributes to the protection of Pingtan's cultural treasures, preserves its historical roots, enhances Pingtan's reputation, and supports the development of Pingtan as an international tourist destination," said Yang Zelin, director of the Underwater Archaeology Research Institute at the Fujian Provincial Institute of Archaeology.

Since 2013, Pingtan has designated the Haitan Strait as a national key cultural heritage protection area, covering nearly 100 square kilometers of the sea area. Comprehensive and systematic surveys are underway to establish a digital system for underwater cultural heritage in the Haitan Strait, aiming to reconstruct the spatial and temporal relationships of cultural heritage on land and sea. These efforts will provide a foundation for future protection, research, management, and other related work.

Building on the principles of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, Pingtan initiated the construction of the Pingtan Haitan Strait Underwater Archaeological Site Park in March this year. The project, which includes the first phase of the underwater archaeological base, was completed in June. It will provide a platform for the protection, revitalization, academic exchanges, educational research, and collaboration involving cultural relics.

Xin Guangcan, deputy research curator at the National Cultural Heritage Administration Archaeological Research Center, emphasized that Pingtan is actively advancing the construction of the Haitan Strait Underwater Archaeological Site Park. Collaborating with archaeological experts, they aim to conduct salvage excavations to protect the underwater historical and cultural heritage and relocate the artifacts to museums. This endeavor will not only safeguard Pingtan's cultural gems but also preserve its historical roots, enhance its reputation, and contribute to the development of Pingtan as an international tourist destination.

The underwater archaeological discoveries in the Haitan Strait provide an invaluable glimpse into China's maritime heritage, shedding light on the ancient Maritime Silk Road and its significance in the region. As Pingtan unveils its underwater treasures, it sets sail toward a future where cultural preservation and tourism converge, inviting visitors from around the world to explore the maritime history that lies beneath the waves of the "Golden Waterway."