June 9 is Dragon Boat Festival this year. As one of the most important traditional festivals in China, Dragon Boat contains many traditions of cultural heritage.

Premier Li Keqiang once said that traditional Chinese culture should be inherited and social morality be promoted. And in order to promote that traditional culture, the State Council has taken many measures over the years.

Strengthening preservation of historic relics

In February 2015, Museum Regulation was published by the State Council. The regulation set rules regarding the management of museums, especially in protection and management of collections in museums.

On Feb 24, 2016, Premier Li presided over a State Council executive meeting, mapping out a plan for protection and utilization of historic relics. According to the meeting, first, protection should be highlighted for relics that have high cultural value or are in danger; second, management should be strengthened, such as setting up a database of historic relic resources; third, relic resources should be used reasonably, such as opening more museums free to the public, and last, more policies should be published and more talent be trained for this work.

In March 2016, a guideline to strengthen the protection of historic relics was announced by the State Council.

Promoting cultural heritage and traditional crafts

In December 2014, the fourth list of national intangible cultural heritage was published, which included 306 heritage items.

In July 2015, the State Council announced policies to support the inheritance and development of traditional Chinese operas.

In October 2015, a guideline was rolled out to promote folk arts such as ethnic dances and sports competitions.

In February 2016, the State Council published the outline of a strategy for the development of traditional Chinese medicine.

Educating traditional culture on campus

In August 2015, the State Council published a document aimed at developing ethnic education. The document said that traditional culture, especially ethnic culture, should be taught in middle and primary schools.

In September 2015, the State Council said in a document regarding aesthetic education that traditional Chinese culture should be promoted on school campuses.

In November 2015, the State Council published a plan to build world-class universities and subjects. It stressed that universities should strengthen the research and publicity of traditional Chinese culture.

Innovation of cultural products and promoting national image

In November 2015, a guideline to develop the service industry and upgrade consumption structure was issued by the State Council. It stresses that the market potential of Chinese traditional culture, especially ethnic and regional culture, should be developed, and that Chinese culture products should go abroad and enter the international market.

In April 2016, the State Council announced a plan to use the Internet to promote traditional brands and craftsmanship.

In May 2016, the Ministry of Culture announced a plan to encourage culture institutes, such as museums, galleries and libraries, to explore culture and creative products.