Han Xuemin, an inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of paper-cutting, introduces the art of paper-cutting to visitors on December 22, 2024 in Suixi, Anhui Province. Photo: VCG

This year marks the 20th anniversary of China joining UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). On Monday, China held a national meeting on the preservation of ICH in Beijing, where it evaluated recent achievements and outlined future work.

Notably, China now leads the world with 44 cultural elements or practices recognized by UNESCO as ICH of Humanity. The national meeting also set the course direction for ICH preservation in China. 

As of now, the country has over 100,000 ICH items across various categories, including 1,557 on the national list. There are 3,056 recognized national-level ICH inheritors, and 23 national-level cultural ecological preservation zones, with ICH protection as core task, have been established. 

From exquisite craftsmanship to traditional Chinese medicine and vibrant folk art, intangible cultural heritages reflect Chinese identity and contribution to global cultural diversity. To preserve this cultural essence for future generations, China has developed a preservation system over the past 20 years that adheres to global practice while respecting its distinct cultural heritage. 

China's intangible cultural heritage protection system has established a comprehensive system for preservation and transmission, driven by a strong sense of urgency and responsibility for cultural inheritance, Wang Deyan, an associate professor at North China University of Technology who specializes in Chinese culture, told the Global Times. "This is not only a preservation of cultural heritage but also a testament to China's cultural confidence and growing soft power."

Earlier this month, UNESCO inscribed the Spring Festival, China's iconic new year celebrations, on the Representative List of the ICH of Humanity, bringing the number of ICH items in China on the UNESCO list to 44, the highest number globally. 

Additionally, the Qiang New Year, traditional Chinese wooden arch bridges and traditional Li textile technique have also been included to UNESCO's cultural heritage list.

"The inclusion of the Spring Festival on the UNESCO heritage list marks a significant milestone in China's efforts to preserve ICH, showcasing Chinese wisdom and experience to the world," Sun Jiashan,an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, told the Global Times.

"This also reflects China's long-standing efforts to ground itself in tradition while safeguarding ICH," Sun added.

Efforts on preservation

The country in 2011 enacted a law on ICH, and provincial-level regions nationwide have also issued their local regulations on ICH protection, according to Xinhua.

On Monday the same day, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China held the 2024 national ICH protection conference, recognizing outstanding groups and exemplary individuals with medals, and certificates.

Chinese central authorities have also conducted training programs for the inheritors, training more than 40,000 individuals over the past decade, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Gao Dianliang, 58, from Yuxian county, North China's Hebei Province, is a key inheritor of Yuxian's paper-cutting tradition.

In 2006 the Yuxian paper cutting, including its design, binding, airtightness, carving and dyeing processes, was inscribed onto the first list of National ICH.

"The essence of intangible heritage lies in the traditional tools and the unique artistry of the creator," he told the Global Times. "To truly carry on paper-cutting, an inheritor must possess technical skill, cultural insight, and artistic depth."

More than 9,100 ICH workshops have been established across the country, harnessing local ICH resources. In recent years, initiatives such as the Chinese ICH inheritors training program and the revitalization of traditional crafts program have been implemented, promoting the integration of ICH with tourism and advancing its role in supporting rural revitalization. The contribution of ICH to economic and social development is becoming increasingly significant, according to CCTV.

Technological aids

In addition to supporting ICH inheritors, China is also embracing modern technological tools to ensure the preservation of its ICH. 

In 2023, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism approved the country's first industry standards for the "Digital Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Digital Resource Collection and Cataloging." This initiative includes guidelines for the collection, cataloging, and archiving of digital resources. 

Through the use of digital platforms, virtual reality exhibitions, and videos, China is opening new doors for younger generations and global audiences to experience and engage with its rich cultural practices. This approach not only helps in preserving ICH but also brings these traditions to life in the digital age.

"China has undertaken extensive efforts to protect, explore, and pass on traditional Chinese culture through policies, laws, and regulations. These initiatives lay the groundwork and provide safeguards for the modern expression of Chinese culture," Su Dan, deputy director of the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum, told the Global Times.

From building a strong legal and institutional framework to safeguard and pass down intangible cultural heritage, to leveraging digital technologies to revitalize it, China's efforts in ICH preservation draw from its rich cultural traditions while sharing its experiences and insights globally.