Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Strengthening the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Our Country

Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Strengthening the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Our Country

Guo Ban Fa [2005] No. 18

March 26, 2005

China, as a time-honored ancient civilization, is endowed with not only an abundance of tangible cultural heritage but also a great variety of intangible cultural heritage. The Communist Party of China and the State have constantly been attaching great importance to the protection of cultural heritage and carrying forward the fine traditional culture, have made great efforts and also obtained outstanding achievements in this regard. However, with the acceleration of globalization, dramatic changes of economy and society, the existence, protection and development of intangible cultural heritage of our country has run up with many new circumstances and problems and is confronted with increasingly greater challenges. With a view to carrying out the spirit of the 16th CPC Party Congress on "supporting the protection of important cultural heritage and fine folk arts" and fulfilling China's obligations for its access into the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, and upon the approval of the State Council, the following opinions on further strengthening the protection of intangible cultural heritage of our country are hereby put forward as follows:
　
Article 1 Being fully aware of the significance and urgency of the protection of intangible cultural heritage of our country
The intangible cultural heritage, inherited by each ethnic group from generation to generation, refers to various traditional cultural manifestations and cultural spaces closely related with the lives of the populace. The intangible cultural heritage is not only the evidence of historical development but also precious and highly-valued cultural resources. The rich and diversified cultural heritage created by all ethnic groups during their historical course of production and life are a crystallization of the wisdom and civilization of the Chinese nation, the emotional tie among the Chinese people, and a solid foundation for national unity. Good protection and utilization of the intangible cultural heritage of our country is of great importance to the implementation of the scientific approach to development, and the realization of the all-round, coordinative and sustainable development of economy and society.
The intangible cultural heritage bears the civilization of the human together with the tangible cultural heritage, and embodies the diversity of cultures of the world. The intangible cultural heritage of our country contains the spiritual values, thought patterns, imagination and cultural awareness typical of the Chinese people, and stands as a fundamental basis for the maintenance of cultural identity and sovereignty of our country. The strengthening of protection of intangible cultural heritage is necessary not only for the development of the State and nation, but also for the promotion of international dialogue among civilizations and the sustainability of all humanity.
Along with the acceleration of globalization and modernization, a dramatic change occurs to the cultural ecology of our country, and the intangible cultural heritage is confronted with a more or more rigorous strike. Many of intangible cultural heritage, orally or behaviorally transmitted, is in danger of disappearing, and many traditional techniques are close to extinction, a great deal of precious objects and materials with historical and cultural value are destroyed and abandoned, or brought to abroad or randomly abused, and the excessive development of intangible cultural heritage often occurs. The strengthening of protection of intangible cultural heritage of our country brooks no delay.
　
Article 2 Goals and Guidelines for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Work goals: Our goal in this respect is to rally the efforts from all walks of life and gradually establish a full-fledged system with Chinese characteristics on the protection of intangible cultural heritage so that the precious and endangered intangible cultural heritage of great historical, cultural and scientific values can be effectively protected, promoted and carried forward.
Work guidelines: Our guiding principles are summarized as "taking protection as priority, rescue as primacy, rational utilization, and inheritance for development". The relationship between protection and utilization shall be correctly treated, the authenticity and integrity of the protection of intangible cultural heritage shall also be adhered to. Rational utilization can be conducted on the premise of effective protection, and misunderstanding, distortion or misuse of intangible cultural heritage shall be prevented. Basing on the scientific identification, effective measures shall be adopted to make intangible cultural heritage be acknowledged, respected and promoted by the whole society.
Working principles: Government leadership, social participation, clarification of duty & responsibility, combination of forces, as well as long-term planning, implementation by steps, integrating priorities with entirety, and emphasis on effect and efficiency.
　
Article 3 Establishing an inventory system and gradually formulating a system with Chinese characteristics for the protection of intangible cultural heritage A general investigation work on intangible cultural heritage shall be seriously carried out. The general investigation and survey, a cornerstone to the protection of intangible cultural heritage, shall be uniformly deployed and orderly conducted. On the basis of making full use of the current work achievements and research results, the work schemes on general investigation work shall be formulated at various levels and of various kinds, and the investigation of the status quo of intangible cultural heritage shall be organized and conducted. It should also help completing the general picture of intangible cultural heritage among various locations and ethnic groups in China, such as its variety, quantity, distribution, status quo, preservation and existing problems. Various means, such as written materials, recording, videotape and digital multimedia, etc.
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