Strolling through the ancient Pingjiang History Culture Quarters in Suzhou City, the enchanting and melodious sounds of Pingtan opera resonate gently, leaving a lingering melody in the air. The intricate craftsmanship of Suzhou embroidery, Song brocade, silk fabrics, and Suzhou fans, among other intangible cultural heritage items, showcases exquisite artistry. Coupled with the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Humble Administrator's Garden, and the former residences of notable figures like Gu Jiegang, these elements collectively form an "open-air museum of Jiangnan culture" without walls.
The urban renewal project "Pingjiang Nine Alleys" and the "Ancient City Protection and Renewal Partner Program" initiated in mid-June are currently in progress. "Residents and tourists alike can immerse themselves in the 'Su-style life,' experiencing 'fresh seasonal cuisine, elegant garden living, refined Kunqu opera, and the beauty of Suzhou craftsmanship,'" noted Mr. Fang Wenbang, member of the Party Committee of Suzhou Prefecture Level City and Secretary of the Gusu District Party Committee.
Following the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development, various local departments and relevant authorities nationwide have continuously implemented the spirit of the important speech by General Secretary Xi Jinping, taking concrete actions to drive the creative transformation and innovative development of Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture.
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that only through a comprehensive and profound understanding of the history of Chinese civilization can we effectively promote the creative transformation and innovative development of Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture. This will also powerfully advance the construction of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics and the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.
Guided by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the exhibition "The Origin and Early Development of Chinese Civilization - Research Achievements of the Major Project of the Institute of Archaeology " was recently unveiled at the Shandong Museum. The exhibition showcased 335 artifacts from 31 sites in 8 provinces. By focusing on the key stages and significant regions of the origin and early development of Chinese civilization, the exhibition enhanced the public's understanding of the vital significance of the origin and development of Chinese civilization.
The National Cultural Heritage Administration has comprehensively strengthened the protection, utilization, and inheritance of cultural heritage. Collaborating with relevant departments, they issued the "Three-Year Action Plan for Corridor Bridge Protection (2023-2025)" and jointly issued the "Yellow River National Cultural Park Construction Protection Plan." Efforts are also underway for the conservation and utilization of sites such as the Mogao Caves, the Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple, and the Dazu Rock Carvings. Initiatives such as constructing thematic routes for Chinese cultural relics, collaborating with the Cyberspace Administration for online promotion under the theme "Magnificent China, What Makes China," and advancing joint historical monument protection and restoration projects in Cambodia, Nepal, and other countries are ongoing. These endeavors drive the high-quality development of cultural relics and breathe life into more cultural treasures.
Promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture requires steadfastly upholding tradition while fostering innovation, letting relics, history, and culture come to life and speak for themselves.
In late July, the Hakka Culture (Meizhou) Ecological Protection Zone intangible cultural heritage exhibition and promotion event took place in Guangzhou Municipality and other locations. The impressive intangible cultural performances left a deep impression on attendees.
"We continue to strengthen the excavation, protection, and inheritance of Meizhou's Hakka intangible cultural heritage, promoting the dissemination of Hakka culture," stated Mr. Zhang Zhuoming, Director of the Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism of Meizhou Prefecture Level City. The region recently launched the inaugural Meizhou Hakka Intangible Cultural Heritage Creative Design Competition, aiming to inject vitality into Meizhou's cultural strength by revitalizing and transforming intangible cultural heritage.
The "Understanding China Through the Yangtze River - Journey Along the Yangtze River" event exploring the source of the Yangtze River in Qinghai Province and Tibet Autonomous Region began in late July. Projects such as the Qu Yuan Cultural Park and the Central Route Water Culture Tourism Zone of the South-North Water Transfer Project have commenced as planned. Activities such as the Yangtze Reading Festival and the Three Gorges (Badong) Boat Trackers Cultural Tourism Festival are taking place one after another. Since the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development, Hubei Province has been accelerating the construction of the Yangtze National Cultural Park (Hubei section).
Professor Fu Caiwu, Dean of the National Institute of Cultural Development at Wuhan University, mentioned that these series of activities allow Yangtze culture to be deeply integrated into people's production and daily lives. It helps people to experience the beauty of history, landscape, and culture more profoundly.
Promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture requires starting and ending with meeting the growing demands of the people for a better life. It involves continuously infusing Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture with new connotations and modern forms of expression in this era.
During the summer vacation period, the China Qihong Technology Expo Park in Qimen County, Anhui Province opened its doors to students for free. Curious young people could learn about the production and scientific research behind Qimen black tea and experience the rich history of tea culture.
For the past month, Mr. Wang Chang, a representative inheritor of Qimen black tea craftsmanship and President of the Qimen Black Tea Association, has been busy contacting research institutions for collaboration. "We hope to use technology to empower the sustainable development of traditional industries, infusing new vitality into ancient skills that cater to the needs of modern people," Mr. Wang said.
In Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the annual Wulanmuqi Arts Festival concluded in late July. During the event, the total journey of the Wulanmuqi Art Troupe exceeded 11,600 kilometers, featuring more than 2,100 performances and presentations that benefited over 1.8 million people from various ethnic groups. This event further enriched grassroots cultural services.
Ms. Xing Lili, Director of the Wulanmuqi Art Troupe directly affiliated with the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, introduced that starting in July, the Wulanmuqi Art Troupe will launch the "Ten Thousand Villages Tour" over a three-year period, conducting performances and creative activities in ten thousand Gaqas (traditional Mongolian settlements) and villages predominantly inhabited by ethnic minorities.
Promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture requires upholding mutual learning and exchange between civilizations, providing China's wisdom and solutions for the progress of human civilization through the practice of constructing the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.
From July 20 to August 5, the 6th China Xinjiang International Ethnic Dance Festival, themed "Dancing Dreams – Harmonious and Beautiful Silk Road" saw over a thousand artists from more than ten countries and regions in Asia, Europe, and Africa gathered at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains for splendid performances.
"Through this dance festival, people are given the opportunity to see a real, open, and beautiful Xinjiang, experience the magnificence of diversity, individual and harmonious collective beauty, and the unity of the world," stated Ms. Dilnar Abdulla, Vice President of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) and President of the Xinjiang Dancers Association. The CFLAC are expeditiously refining mechanisms for writers and artists to "immerse themselves in life and root in the people," encouraging cultural and art professionals to delve deeper into the essence of traditional culture, actively create new culture, and tell the story of modern civilization of the Chinese nation.
Recently, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences launched the Comprehensive Interpretation Project on Modern Civilization of the Chinese Nation. Specific measures were formulated to deepen theoretical research, optimize disciplinary layout, promote the transformation of cultural and civilizational achievements, and strengthen the construction of cultural and civilizational talent teams. A series of major projects were established, and efforts were made to produce high-quality results with profound theoretical depth and academic significance.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences successfully hosted the "China and the World: Working Together to Build a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind" international symposium. It published and released multilingual versions of the "Understanding China" book series and the "China’s System" research series. It also organized the compilation of the first comprehensive research report on the theme of civilization and culture, titled "Report on the Development of Chinese Culture," showcasing the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual strength behind China's stories.