June 13 marked China’s fourth Cultural Heritage Day and Liu Yandong, member of the Political Bureau of the CCCPC and State Councilor delivered a speech on June 11 at a meeting in Beijing.

According to Liu, the intangible cultural heritage is an important part of Chinese culture and its inheritance and protection plays a significant role in enhancing China’s soft power.

She stated effective measures should be taken to better protect cultural heritage and urged a general investigation into intangible cultural heritage, highlighting the use of science and technology in efforts to improve the existence and conditions for intangible cultural heritage. Liu also called for improved protection mechanisms, higher public awareness of the issue and a better team.

The meeting commended 35 outstanding workers, 40 outstanding collectives and 120 outstanding individuals for their contributions towards the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. Among them were 21 senior citizens, who received honorary titles for their contributions to cultural heritage and museum undertaking of the People’s Republic of China.

The meeting also cited the 2nd batch of the National Catalogue of Precious Ancient Books, 4478 books listed and the 2nd batch of 62 key collectives dedicated to the preservation of ancient books.

Elsewhere, certificates were presented to the 3rd batch of 711 representatives of national intangible cultural heritage items.

21 awarded honorary titles

As part of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Minister of Culture and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage awarded the honorary titles of Distinguished Persons in the field of cultural heritage and museums to 21 individuals for their efforts. Their names are listed below.

List (in the order of the number of strokes of surnames)

Yu Jian, Ma Dezhi, Wang Shixiang, Wang Hongjun, Mao Zhaoxi, Liu Guangqi, Du Xianzhou, Wu Liangyong, Tong Zhuchen, Yu Mingqian, Song Boyin, Luo Zhewen, Zheng Xiaoxie, Zheng Minzhong, Duan Wenjie, Hou Renzhi, Geng Baochang, Xu Bangda, Su Bai, Jiang Zanchu, Xie Chensheng.

By Xie Fang