China improves IPR protection of cultural heritage

BEIJING — China has strengthened the intellectual property rights (IPR) protection of traditional culture, crafts and intangible cultural heritage, according to a report from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The report recalled the inscription of China’s Lum medicinal bathing of Sowa Rigpa on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2018.

During the same year, a total of 1,082 individuals were newly recognized as representative inheritors of national intangible cultural heritages.

In addition, IPR protection courses were emphasized in the training plan for inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, and 10 workshops for traditional crafts have been set up to provide assistance to local enterprises and workers, said the report.