Sichuan Province enacted its first local regulation on ancient books protection, marking a historic step in preserving cultural heritage. The law establishes a clear framework to safeguard, restore, and utilize ancient texts. Consequently, it strengthens ancient books protection across the province and closes long-standing gaps in managing historical literature.
The Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People’s Congress approved the regulation, which will take effect on January 1, 2026. It covers both Han Chinese and minority ethnic ancient books, highlighting Sichuan’s role as a major repository of historical texts. By enforcing the regulation, authorities aim to strengthen the preservation of ancient texts while improving public access.
Sichuan houses more than 1.87 million volumes of Han Chinese ancient books. In addition, the province holds roughly 500,000 volumes of minority ethnic ancient books. Among these collections, 246 items appear in the national catalogue of precious ancient books. These figures emphasize the province’s rich literary heritage and the need for robust ancient books protection.
The 34-article regulation assigns responsibilities to local authorities and institutions. It encourages the integration of modern technology into preservation practices. Furthermore, it outlines detailed measures for restoration, cataloging, and effective utilization of ancient texts. Experts say the regulation will improve both academic research and long-term ancient books protection.
The law follows guidelines that the general offices of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council issued in 2022. Those guidelines urged provinces to create local rules for ancient literature work. By enacting this regulation, Sichuan leads the country with the first provincial-level law focused on ancient books protection.
Officials emphasized that the regulation balances preservation with practical use. By promoting technological innovation, authorities hope to give researchers and the public easier access to ancient texts. Cultural scholars welcomed the law, noting that it strengthens long-term ancient books protection while supporting broader cultural education.
Looking ahead, local authorities plan training programs for library staff and conservation specialists. They also plan digitization projects to preserve fragile texts. In addition, the regulation will enhance academic research, cultural tourism, and the wider dissemination of historical knowledge, further embedding ancient books protection into provincial policies.
Overall, Sichuan’s initiative strengthens the preservation of ancient texts while modernizing cultural management. The law positions Sichuan as a model for other provinces seeking to safeguard valuable historical works. Experts agree the legislation will have lasting social, educational, and cultural impacts.
