On 8 month 5 day, the National Conference on Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection and Inheritance was held in Chengdu. The cultural authority, together with departments of education, science and technology, culture and tourism, jointly issued the "Several Opinions on Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection and Inheritance," systematically deploying heritage protection work for the new era. Anchored by the core concept of "Passing the Torch, Living Coexistence," the conference established three priority directions: emergency documentation,传承人 training, and creative transformation, charting a clear path for the continuity of Chinese civilization.
This protection framework blends historical depth with contemporary vitality, covering ten major categories: traditional crafts, folk customs, opera, medicine, and oral literature. It establishes a three-tiered linkage mechanism among national, provincial, and municipal-level inventories, delivering a structured, categorized approach with targeted measures. Embodying the philosophy of "protecting people, objects, and daily life," it underscores that every intangible cultural heritage item is rooted in vibrant communities and everyday life, working together to build a new cultural ecosystem where tradition meets the present.
Since the draft revision of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Law was opened for public consultation in 2025, a series of research and preparatory activities have been systematically carried out throughout the year. From 3 to 6 2026, joint research teams visited nearly 100 intangible cultural heritage transmission bases and training centers across 15 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions. Multiple pre-meeting seminars addressed diverse topics including digital archiving, support for young inheritors, and integrating intangible cultural heritage into schools. Officials from cultural authorities emphasized that this meeting's feedback will serve as the core policy framework. Focusing on three pillars—documentation, preservation, dissemination, and innovative development—the government will implement three concrete initiatives: establishing a national digital archive for intangible cultural heritage, launching a talent pipeline program for inheritors, and creating demonstration projects that integrate intangible cultural heritage with rural revitalization. These efforts align with the broader national initiative for inheriting and developing excellent traditional Chinese culture, advancing the protection of intangible cultural heritage from "emergency rescue" to "living inheritance."
Strengthening intangible cultural heritage (ICH) protection at the current node carries dual significance for both the times and culture. As a nation with an unbroken 5,000-year civilization, China boasts an extensive and diverse ICH resource base. This offers ample opportunity to unlock the practical benefits of traditional culture empowering modern life, providing a solid foundation for cultural confidence and national identity. Currently, regions across the country are comprehensively advancing ICH surveys and documentation, establishing transmission and practice centers, developing cultural creative products, and building multi-level platforms for interaction between inheritors and the public. These efforts welcome participation from all sectors of society in safeguarding our cultural roots and sharing the beauty of ICH.
As globalization and urbanization accelerate, many traditional crafts face severe challenges, including aging inheritors, a generational gap in audiences, and shrinking spaces for survival. Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), as a carrier of collective memory and cultural DNA, requires deepened protection and transmission efforts. The new round of protective measures will establish a collaborative platform led by the government, with social participation and market operations, to foster consensus and synergy among all stakeholders. Focused on key areas such as digital preservation, youth inheritance, and integration into daily life, these initiatives will take practical action to revitalize ancient crafts with contemporary relevance. Together, we aim to build an ICH protection model that is inclusive and shared by all, injecting enduring vitality into the continuity of Chinese civilization and global cultural diversity.