The State Council issued a guideline on March 8 to further enhance work involving cultural relics.

The government plays a leading role in cultural relics protection and museums — whether State-owned or private — should be treated equally. By 2020, historical and cultural sites at national and provincial level should have good conservation condition and those at municipal and county level should have an obviously improved conservation condition.

Local governments should list works involving cultural relics and make it an important reference for comprehensive evaluation. A related duty evaluation mechanism should be set up and one inspection on the preservation of cultural relics should be carried out annually.

A related coordination mechanism should be set up among different places. In related administrative approval items, different ministries should strengthen coordination and cooperation. To establish a linkage mechanism of administrative law enforcement and make full use of the joint conference of national cultural relics safety works. Illegal activities such as stealing, illegal excavation and smuggling should be strictly prevented, controlled and punished.

A general catalogue and data resource of national cultural relics should be established to promote information sharing. Endangered historical and cultural sites at any level should have emergent protection — they will be granted green channel when going through approval procedures and also have funds guarantee.

The protection of cultural relics should be highlighted, especially during the reconstruction of cities and the construction of rural areas. Historical features should be enhanced and destructive behavior such as pulling down the real and erecting a fake should be avoided.

Donation of cultural relics and funds to help the protection is encouraged. Private organizations aiming to protect cultural relics are welcome to play the role of volunteers. Legal collection is encouraged, and the development of private museums supported. Ideas from various groups should be heard regarding public policies to improve the participation of the masses.

Public-private partnership will be promoted to explore the development of protection products, and expand the channel for private capital entering into the protection.