China invests heavily in protection of intangible cultural heritage

China has invested more than 7 billion yuan ($1 billion) in the protection of intangible cultural heritage since the country adopted a law designed to preserve traditions in 2011.

A total of 29 provinces and regions have issued guidelines and appropriated funds for research and maintenance of their intangible cultural heritage, according to Hu Yan, an official from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism at the ongoing seventh International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage which kicked off Thursday.

China has approved batches of lists of national-level intangible cultural heritage with 1,372 items and provincial-level with 15,777 items. A total of 3,068 state-level and 16,432 provincial-level inheritors of intangible cultural heritage have been accredited.

China has also stepped up efforts to build capacity for personnel of intangible cultural heritage preservation, with over 700 training programs launched attracting about 29,200 participants since 2015.

"We have recognized that intangible cultural heritage is rooted in the history of a country. Their preservation can realize creative development based on respecting and maintaining traditions," said Hu.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of China's accession to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.