Another 762 major historical and cultural sites protected at the national level, the eighth batch, were approved at the State Council’s executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Sept 26.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to the work on historical and cultural heritage. General Secretary Xi Jinping has made important instructions on multiple occasions, saying, “Cultural relics are precious legacies from our ancestors, as they symbolize our history, culture and splendid civilization and sustain our great national spirit. The protection of cultural relics is the duty of the current generation and will benefit many generations to come.”

Premier Li Keqiang has said, “Historical sites and cultural relics, as the bond of history, connect the past, the present and the future, and stand as important witnesses to the uninterrupted progress of the Chinese civilization.”

This round of application started in July 2018. The symbolic and national significance of cultural relics was underlined during the selection process.

“For a country with a time-honored civilization like China, it is important to strengthen the protection of cultural relics as a way to reinforce historical memories. The key is to ensure that the basic principles in protecting cultural heritage are fully implemented,” Premier Li said.

The meeting approved the decision to list another 762 sites as major historical and cultural sites protected at the national level, including ancient heritage sites, ancient architecture, and major historical sites and architecture from modern times.

It was urged at the meeting that the value and quality of the cultural relics should be prioritized and their originality and completeness preserved. The meeting stressed the necessity of improving related laws and regulations, attracting the participation of the private sector, and ensuring effective protection, management and proper utilization of the valuable heritage sites of China. Such efforts will help carry forward Chinese civilization and boost the nation’s confidence and cohesion.

“In protecting the cultural relics, efforts must be made to preserve both the originality and completeness. Wooden structures, which feature prominently in China’s cultural sites, must be protected under the conditions of safety, including employing modern technologies whenever necessary,” Premier Li said.

With 762 new sites added to the list, the number of major historical and cultural sites protected at the national level will reach 5,058, many of them located in Shanxi, Henan, Hebei, Zhejiang and Shaanxi provinces.

“Protecting cultural relics is the responsibility of the whole society. The private sector needs to be mobilized in this process, and public awareness of cultural heritage protection needs to be enhanced,” Premier Li said.