Yangtze River Photo: VCG

China will ramp up its efforts in conservation, inheritance and promotion of the Yangtze River culture, according to a new plan released by Chinese authorities. 

The plan sets forth a list of tasks to boost the cultural and economic development of the region along the Yangtze River, which is China's longest river.

The establishment of the National Cultural Park of Yangtze River, new achievements in archaeological programs and intangible cultural heritage conservation, and promoting international cultural exchanges are some of the tasks stipulated in the plan jointly released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT), National Cultural Heritage Administration and National Development and Reform Commission.

Flowing from the snowy mountains on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the East China Sea, the Yangtze River winds through 13 provinces, municipality and regions. The third longest river in the world, it is one of the cradles of Chinese civilization that promoted the development of agriculture and shipping in ancient China. The regions and cities along the river nurture nearly 40 percent of China's population and generate 45 percent of China's GDP, according to MCT. 

The establishment of the National Cultural Park of Yangtze River is one of the recent moves that have borne fruit in the protection and promotion of the Yangtz River culture. Launched in 2022, the park covers all 13 provinces and municipalities along the river. One section is located in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province.

Zhang Hongyan, professor with the Institute of Urban Science of Nanjing University, told the Global Times that the establishment of the Nanjing section is well underway and will surely drive the economic and ecological development of Nanjing. 

Many local tourist spots like the Yangtze River Dolphin Center, Meigang Industrial Cultural Park, and Xinjizhou Wetland Park, will join forces with the river park to offer people a multi-dimensional view of the Yangtze River, he said.

"We are also working on restoring relics from the Maritime Silk Road and planning the construction of the Museum of Yangtze River Culture," said Zhang. 

In May 2022, the Nanjing Museum hosted its first exhibition about the Yangtze River culture, telling people the stories between Nanjing and the river through 300 exhibits. 

In 2021, the Sanxingdui Museum in Southwest China's Sichuan Province opened its relics restoration center to the public, making it possible for visitors to watch the restoration of newly unearthed relics. 

"This move brought visitors closer to the preservation of cultural relics and brought the relics to life," said Tang Fei, director of the Sichuan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. 

The Archaeological Institute for Yangtze Civilization, co-founded by Wuhan University and General Office of Hubei Culture and Tourism in December 2020, has also been dedicated to archaeological efforts along the Yangtze River.