China is accelerating efforts to safeguard and promote its China cultural heritage, combining modern technology and global partnerships. The country aims to protect historical sites, artifacts, and cultural practices while expanding public engagement and international cooperation.
From 2021 to 2025, four sites were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, including the Beijing Central Axis, Jingmai Mountain’s old tea forests, the Xixia Imperial Tombs, and Quanzhou’s ancient maritime trade center. With 60 sites in total, China now ranks second globally, just behind Italy.
According to Xie Bing, deputy head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, additional nominations are in progress. Potential sites include Jingdezhen’s handmade porcelain heritage, Sanxingdui and Jinsha ruins, ancient Yangtze waterfront towns, and Maritime Silk Road locations. This reflects China’s growing national commitment to cultural preservation.
China has moved toward a systematic approach for heritage protection, shifting from emergency restoration to preventive conservation. The 2026-2030 development plan will unify supervision and enhance inspections. Sun Deli, deputy head of NCHA, highlighted a comprehensive legal framework, including the Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics, six administrative regulations, ten ministerial rules, and over 400 local regulations.
Technological innovation strengthens conservation efforts. Satellite monitoring, drones, and AI-based analysis enable early detection of risks to heritage sites. Digital tools also improve public access. For example, the Longmen Grottoes have detailed 3D archives, while the Dunhuang Academy provides high-definition images of 30 Mogao Grottoes, allowing virtual exploration worldwide.
China has expanded public cultural services significantly. More than 7,000 museums, with over 91 percent offering free entry, receive nearly 1.5 billion visits annually. Additionally, 65 national archaeological site parks and 200 themed cultural tourism routes connect urban and rural areas, linking communities with shared cultural resources.
International collaboration remains a key priority. China established the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia and contributed to ISO’s technical committee on heritage conservation. Chinese experts have completed six overseas restoration projects and launched 49 joint archaeological programs with 28 countries. Efforts to recover lost cultural relics brought 537 items back to China over five years.
Xie emphasized the importance of improving coordination and institutional arrangements to protect cultural relics. Authorities aim to strengthen domestic preservation, expand public engagement, and contribute Chinese expertise globally.
China cultural heritage preservation demonstrates a holistic approach that integrates law, technology, international cooperation, and public participation. These efforts safeguard historical treasures while fostering awareness and education for future generations.
