Day reminds us to take care of cultural heritage

　　China has one more special day to add to the list of holidays: Cultural Heritage Day.

　　The holiday was established by the government in 2006. In addition, the State Council published a list of 1,081 relics sites under state protection and 518 items of intangible cultural heritage, the sixth batch since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. An interesting addition to the llist is the former imperial garden of Zhongnanhai, which is now the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council.

　　All of this has far-reaching significance, showing that the government is stepping up its effort to protect relics. It also demonstrates that the central authorities have obtained a deeper understanding of the concept of sustainable development.

　　Chinese leaders believe that the development of "hard power," such as economic strength and military power, is not enough. They believe that "soft power," which includes culture and ethics, should also be fostered.

　　So, the introduction of Cultural Heritage Day not only indicates the coming of a new era in China's relics protection but also marks changes in and an upgrading of the idea of governance on the part of the central authorities.

　　The Chinese economy has been growing at a rapid pace over the past three decades, providing the country's cultural undertakings with strong potential financial support. But it does not necessarily follow that the state's financial strength automatically translates into progress in terms of cultural undertakings.

　　As a matter of fact, this rapid economic growth did not help bring about obvious progress in the protection of relics and cultural heritage. On the contrary, an illegal trade in cultural relics has been rife over a fairly long period of time.

　　In some localities, the wrong concept of officials' performance and a one-sided concept of development have made the situation worse. Some local governments, for example, treat the cultural and natural heritage under their jurisdiction as the goose that lays golden eggs and use these resources to attract tourists.

　　Some cultural heritage sites bear the obvious signs of artificial tampering, with entertainment centers, hotels, garbage, smoke rising from barbecue stalls and construction machinery. All this robs the sites of the aura of ancient civilization. The tampering, in some cases, is made even worse by people's greed and ignorance.

　　What is behind the destruction of relics and smuggling cases in China today?

　　This situation leads people to ask whether such a nation that seemingly has no respect for its own civilization is worthy of their respect? At the same time, it should be asked whether dumping such civilization is a price worth paying as China strives for further economic growth?

　　It is these worries and concerns that have helped bring about Cultural Heritage Day, which has the central theme "protect our spiritual homeland."

　　The expression "spiritual homeland" best sums up the core values of our cultural heritage.

　　People cannot do without a home. A nation, even more so, cannot do without its spiritual homeland. The cultural heritage found throughout our country carries the spiritual genes of the Chinese nation.

　　Chinese cultural heritage is kind of a "visiting card" the nation gives to the international community. How can we live up to the spirit of this important new day?