Zhou Heping, deputy Culture Minister, said at a press conference today that China would set up a database and a detailed list of intangible cultural heritage at country, province, city and county levels.

The country will gradually form a safeguarding system to protect intangible cultural heritage with Chinese characteristics.

Zhou added that the Chinese government has always attached great importance to the protection of intangible cultural heritage. In promoting traditional Chinese culture, the government has made many efforts and garnered significant achievements.

In August 2004, China joined the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, becoming one of the few member countries included by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

According to Zhou, several days ago, the General Office of the State Council issued a document that gives some suggestions on the safeguarding of China's intangible cultural heritage and calls for the establishment of a protective system with Chinese characteristics.

This year the government will complete the first list of intangible cultural heritage at the county-level. After that, China will begin to enrich the lists at province, city and county levels.

(Chinanews.cn April 28, 2005)