China's Cultural Heritage Day

　　An old artwork, handicraft or folk song is likely to disappear and an old house is likely to be demolished every second in China. Few Chinese media covered UNESCO's listing of Kunqu opera as a "masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity" in 2001, while the Japanese media acclaimed the listing of the Nogaku theater, said Tian. "The Chinese government's attention to intangible heritage was fueled by the public," he said.

　　A seminar would be held in the near future to discuss academic questions on the protection of intangible heritage, Tian said.

　　The condition of the intangible cultural heritage is widely linked to social and economic developments, Tian said, and some people in scenic spots were turning intangible heritage into stunts to entertain tourists.

　　"It mainly depends on the heritage holders to protect, pass down, develop and invigorate intangible cultural heritage," he said. "I believe the intangible cultural heritage list issued by the State Council will help the public reconsider their traditions. Their heritage will become a memory unless the public increases protection awareness," he said.