The 15th regular session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") was held online from December 14 to 19, 2020.

This regular meeting reviewed 50 intangible cultural heritage items declared by 57 countries.

On the evening of December 17th, Beijing time, China’s separate declaration of "Tai Chi" and the joint declaration of China and Malaysia "Send the King Ship-Ceremony and Related Practices Concerning the Sustainable Connection between People and the Ocean" (hereinafter referred to as "Send King Ship" ) Two projects,

reviewed

and

approved by the committee

, are included in the UNESCO Representative List of Human Intangible Cultural Heritage.

So far, a total of 42 intangible cultural heritage items in my country have been included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List (book), ranking first in the world.

　　Since its formation in the middle of the 17th century, Tai Chi has been passed on from generation to generation, with practitioners all over the country, and it has been widely spread and passed on overseas.

Taijiquan has no restrictions on the gender, age, physique, occupation, and ethnicity of the practitioners. Through the practice of Taijiquan, people not only cultivate their body and strengthen their bodies, but also inherit the cultural genes of the Chinese nation.

　　"Learning boxing to make sense", the traditional Chinese philosophy of yin and yang cycle, the harmony between man and nature and the concept of health preservation contained in Taijiquan enrich people's understanding of the laws of the universe, nature, and human body; The basic requirements of respecting teachers, respecting the teacher, not being disrespectful, not mad, not satisfied, etc., subtly cultivate people's peaceful, tolerant, and friendly disposition.

Taijiquan plays an important role in enhancing people's health awareness, promoting physical and mental health, promoting harmonious coexistence among people, and enhancing social cohesion.

△Tai Chi enthusiasts in Jiaozuo City, Henan Province practice Tai Chi in the People's Park in the morning.

(Photo: Sun Haitao)

　　Sending the king ship is a folk activity widely spread in southern Fujian and the coastal areas of Malacca, Malaysia.

Since its formation in the 15th to 17th centuries, with the "Southeast Asia" and maritime trade, it gradually spread from southern Fujian to Southeast Asia.

The ship to the king conveys people’s historical memory of their ancestors going to the ocean, embodies the concept of harmonious coexistence between man and nature and respect for life, and provides rich cultural dialogue resources for promoting the development of an inclusive society; it carries observations of weather, tides, and ocean currents. Such marine knowledge and navigation technology are the crystallization of people's long-term wisdom in marine production and life.

The ship to the king is regarded as a common heritage by the relevant communities in China and Malaysia, and is a vivid example of the spread and integration of Chinese culture in the countries along the Maritime Silk Road.

△The ceremony of sending the king ship to Haicang District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China.

(Photo: Ouyang Shushun)

△The ceremony of sending the king ship to Malacca, Malaysia.

(Photo: Chan Kow Heng)

　　Actively applying for intangible cultural heritage items to be included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List (volume) is an important part of China’s fulfillment of the responsibilities and obligations of States parties to the Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It also fully reflects China’s increasing non-material cultural heritage. The level of protection of the material cultural heritage and the ability to perform the contract are of great significance to the inheritance and promotion of the excellent traditional Chinese culture, the demonstration of the innovative and creative vitality of the Chinese nation, the enhancement of the international influence of the Chinese culture, the promotion of people-to-people bonds and cultural exchanges and mutual learning.

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1. "Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage"

　　Since the 1950s, UNESCO has continued to formulate multilateral guidelines in the cultural field to strengthen the protection of cultural heritage.

The "Convention for the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage" (hereinafter referred to as the "Convention") adopted by the 32nd Conference of UNESCO in 2003, and the "Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage" in 1972, and the "Convention for the Protection and Promotion of Culture" in 2005 The Convention on Diversity of Expressions and other conventions coordinated to establish an international convention system for the protection of cultural heritage.

Up to now, there are 180 States parties to the Convention.

In August 2004, the 11th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Tenth National People's Congress decided to ratify the Convention.

　　According to the "Convention", "intangible cultural heritage" refers to: "Various social practices, concept expressions, expressions, knowledge, skills, and related information that are regarded as part of their cultural heritage by communities, groups, and sometimes individuals Tools, objects, handicrafts, and cultural places. This intangible cultural heritage is passed on from generation to generation, and is constantly recreated as communities and groups adapt to the surrounding environment and interact with nature and history, providing these communities and groups with a sense of identity And a sense of continuity, thereby enhancing respect for cultural diversity and human creativity. In this Convention, only consideration is given to the existing international human rights documents, and the needs of communities, groups and individuals for mutual respect and compliance with sustainable development Intangible Cultural Heritage.".

Intangible cultural heritage includes the following areas: oral traditions and expressions, including language as a medium of intangible cultural heritage; performing arts; social practices, rituals, and festivals; knowledge and practices about nature and the universe; traditional handicrafts.

2. List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Convention (Booklet)

　　In order to enhance the visibility of intangible cultural heritage (hereinafter referred to as “intangible cultural heritage”) as a whole, raise awareness of the protection of intangible cultural heritage and its importance, clarify the responsibilities and obligations of protection, and enhance intercultural communication and dialogue, mutual respect and appreciation, and protection Human cultural diversity and creativity, the "Convention" has established three non-material cultural heritage lists, a list of intangible cultural heritage that needs urgent protection, a representative list of human intangible cultural heritage, and plans, projects and activities that best reflect the principles and objectives of the Convention. List and roster of remains (hereinafter referred to as the Urgent Need for Protection List, the List of Representative Works and the List of Good Practices).

These three types of intangible cultural heritage lists (books) have become an important starting point for promoting the implementation of the Convention, and they are also an international platform for the protection, display and exchanges of the contracting states.

As of 2019, a total of 549 intangible cultural heritage projects from 127 countries have been listed, of which 64 have been listed in the list of urgently needed protection, 463 projects have been listed in the master list, and 22 projects have been selected in the list of good practices.

　　The projects declared by each contracting party for inclusion in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List (book) must comply with the inscription criteria set out in the "Convention" operating guidelines and be reviewed by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In accordance with the spirit of the "Convention" and the rules of notification, each contracting party has the right to apply for listing on its territory intangible cultural heritage items that meet the definition and list criteria of the "Convention". The Convention encourages multiple countries to declare jointly for intangible cultural heritage projects, and each country can also declare separately. There is no difference and affiliation between each other.

3. my country's inclusion of projects

　　Since joining the "Convention" in 2004, my country has abided by the spirit of the "Convention", earnestly fulfilled the responsibilities and obligations of contracting states, and actively declared intangible cultural heritage items to be included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List (book).

At present, my country has a total of 42 non-heritage projects listed, ranking first in the world (7 projects are listed in the list of urgently needed protection, 34 projects are listed in the master list, and 1 project is selected in the list of excellent practices), which strongly demonstrates the innovation of the Chinese nation Creative vitality, which embodies the cultural identity of the Chinese people, is of great significance to enhancing the international influence of Chinese culture, promoting mutual understanding among people, and mutual learning among civilizations.

(1) List of representative works (34 items)

　　2008: Kunqu Opera, Guqin Art, Xinjiang Uygur Muqam Art, Mongolian Changdiao Folk Songs (joint declaration with Mongolia)

　　2009: Chinese seal cutting, Chinese engraving and printing techniques, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese paper-cutting, Chinese traditional wooden structure construction techniques, Nanjing cloud brocade weaving techniques, Dragon Boat Festival, Chinese Korean farm music dance, Gesa (Si)er, Dong folk song, flower Er, Manas, Mazu Faith, Humai, Nanyin, Regong Art, Chinese Silk Weaving Techniques, Tibetan Opera, Traditional Longquan Celadon Firing Techniques, Traditional Rice Paper Production Techniques, Xi'an Drumming, Cantonese Opera

　　2010: Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture, Peking Opera

　　2011: Chinese shadow play

　　2013: Chinese Abacus-Knowledge and Practice of Using Abacus for Mathematical Calculation

　　2016: The Twenty-Four Solar Terms—The time knowledge system and practice formed by the Chinese by observing the sun's anniversary movement

　　2018: Tibetan Medicine Bathing Method-Knowledge and Practice of Life, Health and Disease Prevention and Control of Chinese Tibetans

　　2020: Tai Chi, Sending the King Ship-Ceremony and Related Practices Concerning the Sustainable Connection between Man and the Ocean

(2) List of intangible cultural heritage in urgent need of protection (7 items)

　　2009: Qiang year, traditional Chinese wooden arch bridge construction skills, Li nationality spinning, dyeing, weaving and embroidery skills

　　2010: Maixi Refu, China's watertight compartment fuship manufacturing technology, Chinese movable type printing

　　2011: Hezhe Imakan

(3) Good practice roster (1 item)

　　2012: Fujian puppet show successor talent training plan

4. National intangible cultural heritage projects related to "Tai Chi" and "Send the King Ship"

5. National Intangible Cultural Heritage Projects Related to "Send King Ship"

　　(CCTV reporter Cao Yan, Li Jingjing, Zou Heyi, Jia Yanning)