China will continue to strengthen protection of cultural relics and crack down on criminal acts, according to a circular released by the State Council.

The circular made clear responsibilities to be taken by local governments, government departments and relics protection units and museums.

Cultural heritage departments are asked to formulate regulations on law enforcement, supervision and investigation. Public security departments are required to combat crimes relating to cultural relics, and guide security work of relics protection units and museums.

Customs departments are responsible for entry and exit of cultural relics and fighting relics smuggling. Also, industrial and commercial departments should conduct inspections on related businesses.

Relics protection units and museums should be responsible for the security of their cultural relics, and accept supervision from local authorities.

The circular urged enhancing routine checks on safety risks for stealing, fire and lightning strikes, and putting in place maintenance of safety facilities and emergency exercises.

It also called for government departments to coordinate their work and launch special actions, to combat crimes such as theft of ancient culture sites or ancient tombs, and of stone carvings or frescoes of ancient buildings, and to investigate illegal transactions and collection of cultural relics.

Law enforcement capacity should be improved at all levels of the government. Also, local governments should procure private services to manage immovable cultural relics that are beyond their capacity.

The circular stressed promotion of advanced technologies and equipment in relics protection units and museums for better security and fire control.

Also, a monitoring system that covers all key national and world cultural heritage sites should be set up, the circular stated.