On May 24th, "The Chengdu Declaration", the first declaration made to protect intangible cultural heritage (ICH), was released at the International Forum on Intangible Cultural Heritage in Chengdu, in order to call people to protect ICH and the diversity of world culture.

"ICH is now facing the impact of modern civilization and forgetfulness," announced thirty-seven experts from countries such as China, Italy, France, Britain, South Korea, and Estonia. The declaration called on all governments to teach young people how to protect ICH.

The declaration said that ICH was the oldest living memory and spirit of every nation.

Wu Bing'an, deputy director of the State Panel for ICH Protection, said that we have just begun ICH protection. However, the Chengdu Declaration will prevent the forgetfulness and destruction of ICH by modern civilization.

The declaration released in China demonstrated that the conscientious efforts of Chinese people to protect ICH have been improving rapidly, as well as the determination of Chinese government, stated Tian Qing, deputy director of the ICH Protection Center. Tian also said that "although China started late in the process of ICH protection, we made a great investment."

Last year, China designated 518 ICHs and established a database for ICH. The second Saturday of every June was named "Cultural Heritage Day". In 2001, Kun Qu, one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera; the Chinese zither or Guqin, a solo musical instrument dating back 3,000 years; Xinjiang Uygur Muqam, a blend of song, dance, folk and classical music; and Long Song, a type of Mongolian lyrical chant, were all declared by UNESCO as masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The forum, one portion of the International Festival on Intangible Cultural Heritage, was held from May 23rd to May 24th. After its release, the "Chengdu Declaration" will be written on stone tablets in multiple languages, that will from now on, stand in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Park.