Recently, with the approval of the State Council, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, together with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the State Administration for Market Regulation, jointly issued the "Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development of Historical and Classic Industries" (hereinafter referred to as the "Opinions"). Historical and classic industries such as silk, tea, porcelain, and traditional Chinese medicine are closely related to intangible cultural heritage. On September 7, Shan Gangxin, Director of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, introduced at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that as of the end of last year (2025), there were 14,900 intangible cultural heritage workshops nationwide, creating employment and income opportunities for more than 1.3 million people.

Shan Gangxin pointed out that in recent years, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has adhered to the principle of prioritizing protection, actively promoted the integration of intangible cultural heritage into modern life, continuously empowered economic and social development, and met the public's expectations for a better life, focusing on carrying out work in many aspects.

First and foremost, we must strengthen the protection of these projects. Protection is the prerequisite for inheritance and the very foundation of industrial development. Only by safeguarding the foundation can an industry flourish. Following early rescue-oriented protection, we now employ comprehensive protection, productive protection, digital protection, and life-oriented protection. In recent years, a large number of intangible cultural heritage items of significant value have achieved living transmission through protection, ensuring that industrial development has a traceable origin and foundation. Currently, 45 intangible cultural heritage items in my country are listed in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List, and there are over 100,000 intangible cultural heritage items at the national, provincial, municipal, and county levels. "Chinese Sericulture and Silk Weaving Techniques," "Traditional Longquan Celadon Firing Techniques," "Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture," and "Traditional Chinese Tea Making Techniques and Related Customs" have been successively inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In July 2026, "The Heritage of Jingdezhen Handmade Porcelain" became a World Cultural Heritage site, opening up vast opportunities for historical and classic industries, especially the silk, ceramics, traditional Chinese medicine, and tea industries, to go global.

Secondly, it is crucial to cultivate a team for passing on the torch. People are the core of intangible cultural heritage protection and inheritance, and also the key to industrial development. In recent years, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has implemented the Training Program for Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors and the Action Plan for Cultivating Young Inheritors. Over the past decade, more than 200 universities nationwide have participated in the training programs, benefiting more than 200,000 inheritors. Some second-generation, third-generation, and young inheritors who possess traditional skills and innovative thinking have taken up the baton of inheritance. It is precisely the generational protection by artisans of all ages that provides a solid talent guarantee for the passing on of this historical and classic industry.

The third aspect is integration into modern life. Scientific and rational utilization and the embodiment of contemporary value are the source of revitalization for intangible cultural heritage and the driving force for industrial development. In recent years, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has adhered to upholding tradition while innovating, implemented the Traditional Crafts Revitalization Plan, and held a series of intangible cultural heritage consumption promotion activities, such as the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo, the Chengdu International Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival, and the "Intangible Cultural Heritage Goods, National Trend Revitalization" Four Seasons Intangible Cultural Heritage Shopping Month. With brands as the guide, these activities continuously meet the new demands of mass consumption. As of the end of last year (2025), there were 14,900 intangible cultural heritage workshops nationwide, creating employment and income opportunities for more than 1.3 million people. The media often says that our small workshops are connected to large markets, and old crafts have given rise to new industries.

"Today, intangible cultural heritage not only carries on cultural traditions but also resonates with people's lives and is booming in the market," said Shan Gangxin. He added that the wider reach of intangible cultural heritage is driving the development of related industries, not only showcasing Chinese craftsmanship to the world but also helping classic historical industries integrate into modern life and reach the world stage, demonstrating our boundless potential and vibrant energy. (Source: CNR.cn)