Cultural protection, a long-term and arduous task

　　China has so far included a total of 2,351 cultural relics sites and 518 intangible cultural heritages on the list of national protection sites. Restoration and maintenance have been carried out on important cultural heritage sites such as Potala Palace in Tibet and Palace Museum in Beijing.

　　Ⅰ. The urgency of Cultural protection

　　Cultural relics in China now face great challenges posed by economic globalization and urbanization. Many historic cities and scenic spots have been destroyed. Illegal trade and smuggling activities have not been curbed, which has led to the loss of national treasures overseas.

　　Many important cultural heritage sites have declined or are hard to pass on due to excessive exploration and inappropriate use. Cultural relics held by minority ethnic groups have lost their identity due to the changing lifestyle of the people.

　　Chinese cultural heritage ranges from magnificent imperial architecture to the rich store of village folk heritage spread out all over the country. Conservation of imperial architecture and the major monuments of China receives both national and international attention from the Chinese government, UNESCO, and from major donor agencies. Heritage preservation focuses on community and grassroots heritage, which tends to receive less attention as a result of lack of understanding at the local level, financial constraints and priority accorded to achieving economic development goals at the expense of all else.

　　A gap between national policies and practice, insufficient public awareness, inadequate training of officials and enforcement authorities, and weaknesses in the judicial system are contributing factors in the continuing loss of cultural heritage. In other words, heritage preservation should not only focus on the preservation of physical monuments, but also focuses on the crucial and complimentary "software" of cultural heritage protection, enabling local communities and local officials to use their own resources and skills to protect the heritage that lies within their jurisdictions.

　　Ⅱ. The National Cultural Heritage Day

　　Government should keep mind clear and take more concrete steps to better protect cultural heritage, and mobilize the whole society to participate in this cause.

　　Thorough investigation and protection plans for cultural heritage sites and artifacts should be carried out urgently, and the protection of historic cities, towns and villages at major construction sites should be strengthened.

　　Many historic buildings, sites and scenic spots have been destroyed in recent years. The smuggling of antiques and robbery of ancient tombs and relics sites are rampant in some regions, according to a circular issued by the State Council in February. Improper development of cultural heritage and over-exposure of cultural relics have also threatened artifacts and sites, it said.

　　Statistics show that from 2000 to 2005 when China carried out its 10th Five-Year Development Plan, total investment in the field reached 7.889 billion RMB (around $900 million USD). With financial support from government, China also launched a nationwide campaign to search and protect cultural heritage in 2003.

　　China's cultural heritage protection has made progress, but many problems still exist and need to be solved.