China enhances publicity, enforcement of law on cultural relics protection

BEIJING - Chinese authorities have issued a circular aimed at promoting the publicity and enforcement of the Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics, the National Cultural Heritage Administration said on Saturday.

A revised version of the law, which takes effect on Saturday, was adopted during a session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee on Nov 8, 2024, as part of the country's efforts to strengthen the protection of its abundant cultural heritage.

The circular stipulates that local governments should organize educational and promotional activities related to the Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics to comprehensively, accurately and completely understand the purposes and main content of the revisions of the law.

Local authorities are also asked to carry out campaigns to strengthen awareness of the law, and to promote it in enterprises, schools, communities and rural areas.

Efforts should be made to encourage all sectors of society to fulfill their obligation to protect cultural relics in accordance with the law, per the document.

China has been placing increasing emphasis on the protection of its cultural relics. The country is currently conducting a national census of cultural relics, which is set to run through 2026.