The law on intangible heritage, for the first time, was discussed at the 16th meeting of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on August 23. As provided in the draft, China’s intangible heritage protection includes identification, recording and filing etc. Those with historical, cultural, artistic and scientific values shall be protected by inheritance and promotion.
The draft defines types of the intangible heritage as the followings: traditional oral literature and its language carrier, traditional paintings, handwriting, music, dancing, drama and Chinese folk art forms, traditional arts and crafts, Chinese traditional medicine and calendar, traditional rituals, festivals and other folk-custom. Traditional sport and entertainment are also on the list.
To prevent overseas organizations and individuals from doing research without authorization on intangible heritage arbitrarily in China, the draft rules that only when approved can the overseas organ cooperate with Chinese academic and research institutions on researching intangible heritage.
(China IP News)