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

Abstract

In 2014, the Grand Canal of China was inscribed on the World Heritage List. The aim of this article is to elucidate its nomination process. The findings reveal that the process was complex, as the seemingly powerful state authorities had to negotiate with numerous human and non-human factors beyond their control. By using the actor-network approach, it is posited that the final information on the Grand Canal included in the nomination dossier is a result of compromises among a variety of agencies, including both human actors (such as the state authorities, the nomination team, representatives of other state ministries, and those from local bureaus) as well as non-human factors (such as national hydraulic project, unexpected excavation and damage of archaeological findings, and existing built environments, among others). There is a web of relations co-produced by forces and interests of different agencies. The relationship between the meaning-making of heritage and the state power is more complex than implied by the criticisms put forth in extant critical analysis of World Heritage.

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