Sokrithy Im from APSARA National Authority: Culture as a Bridge for Understanding and Coexistence
Updated: Sep 14
In a recent interview with China-ASEAN Observation, Sokrithy Im, Director of the Department of Research, Training, and Communication at Cambodia’s APSARA National Authority, reflected on the evolving landscape of cultural heritage conservation. He spoke about China’s technological experience in heritage protection, the application of digital technology in safeguarding heritage, the future of China-ASEAN cooperation in this field, and ways to help younger generations appreciate the meaning and value of cultural heritage.
Im has spent many years working on the conservation of Angkor, World Heritage research, and international cultural exchange. His principal areas of interest include protecting cultural heritage in tropical climates, preserving the authenticity and integrity of heritage sites, and incorporating digital technologies into heritage management. In his view, China has accumulated internationally leading experience in heritage digitalization and conservation technologies, providing important insights for countries across Southeast Asia.
What is your overall impression of China’s heritage conservation technologies following your visit to Dunhuang?
Sokrithy Im: China has become a global leader in cultural heritage conservation technology. As I said in my presentation, what China has achieved can now be seen as a “gold standard” for heritage conservation internationally. I have been particularly impressed by its progress in AI, digital transformation, and smart heritage management. Southeast Asian countries, especially Cambodia, should work more closely with China by establishing additional training and exchange programs. These initiatives would allow our heritage professionals to come to China, learn from its technologies and experience, and adapt them to the conservation of our own heritage.
Having visited many countries, I can see that China has developed a highly sophisticated system covering the conservation, presentation, and development of cultural heritage. This matters not only to China, but also to the future of heritage conservation around the world. That said, every country has its own heritage environment, and conservation solutions cannot simply be copied from one place to another. Angkor is an open-air archeological site in Cambodia’s tropical monsoon climate, which is completely different from the natural environment of Dunhuang. The two sites therefore require different approaches to conservation and management. Even though practical measures must be tailored to local conditions, the underlying principles and methodologies of heritage preservation are widely applicable. Many of China’s current approaches are also fully consistent with UNESCO’s standards for safeguarding World Heritage.
Technologies such as 3D scanning, digital twins, and AI-based deterioration detection are now being used at both Dunhuang and Angkor. What do you think digital technology has genuinely changed, and what remains beyond the reach of technology?
Sokrithy Im: In practical and technical terms, digital technology has fundamentally changed how we approach cultural heritage conservation. Tools such as 3D scanning, artificial intelligence, and digital modeling are among the most advanced methods available in the field today. However, there are two important points that we should not overlook. The first is that heritage is not always defined solely by its physical form. A heritage site may be incomplete, or its physical remains may even have disappeared, but it can still carry immense spiritual and cultural meaning. When people value a site such as the pyramids, for example, they are responding not only to the monuments themselves, but also to the civilization and human spirit they represent. The second point is that modern society is becoming increasingly conscious of these intangible and spiritual dimensions of heritage. This means that technology can never be a substitute for everything. The key is to apply modern technology in ways that respond to the particular conditions of each heritage site. We must decide carefully where and how technology should be used while continuing to respect the site’s authenticity and integrity. That is the best way to protect cultural heritage.
What would you most like to see from future China-ASEAN cooperation in cultural heritage conservation?
Sokrithy Im: China and Southeast Asia are neighboring civilizations with a long history of interaction. For many countries in Southeast Asia, China has always been an important cultural, economic, and political presence in the region. Cambodia is situated between India and China, so from the very beginning of our history as a state, we were already in contact with the civilizations around us. Those connections have never disappeared. Today, however, we have an opportunity to turn them into a more stable and deeper partnership. Cultural heritage dialogues such as this one are therefore extremely valuable. They create platforms and channels through which countries can communicate and work together. Going forward, each country will also need to identify forms of cooperation that reflect its own conditions and needs. The bonds between us extend far beyond archeological sites. They can also be found in our food, music, songs, textiles, and many other forms of cultural expression. These cultural elements have kept the countries of the region closely linked at a deeper level. I sincerely hope that Southeast Asia will continue to live together in harmony. We have, after all, been exchanging ideas and sharing this region for thousands of years.
What message would you most like to share with young people about why cultural heritage deserves their attention?
Sokrithy Im: Young people must learn to value cultural heritage. The international community faces tensions and conflicts today, and it may continue to do so in the future. I firmly believe, however, that culture has an essential role to play. It can help reduce divisions, build mutual understanding, and create a more peaceful future for the next generation. Culture is perhaps the most powerful language connecting one person with another. It can cross borders and transcend differences in identity, allowing people to communicate without fear or distance between them. Every country has its own culture, yet culture can also be understood and appreciated across different civilizations. For both our generation and the next, one important question is how we can use culture to understand one another better and learn to live together.
(If you have specific expertise, or would like to share your thoughts, please send us your writings at CAobservation@outlook.com)
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