China unveils culture, tourism plan for 2026-30

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has issued a development plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, setting out goals and major tasks to deepen the integration of culture and tourism and advance the building of a strong culture and tourism sector by 2030.

The plan calls for coordinated development of cultural undertakings, cultural industries and tourism, with high-quality development as its central theme and deeper integration of culture and tourism as a major focus.

By 2030, China aims to make further progress in building itself into a country strong in culture and tourism, with continued growth in cultural undertakings, cultural industries and tourism, according to the plan.

The plan says the integration of culture and tourism should become deeper and more mutually reinforcing, with culture playing a stronger enabling role and tourism making a greater contribution to economic and social development.

It also sets goals to enrich people's cultural and spiritual lives, increase the influence of Chinese culture, and further strengthen the country's cultural soft power.

The plan outlines eight major areas of work, including promoting artistic creation and production, strengthening the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage, improving public cultural and tourism services, and developing cultural and tourism industries.

It also calls for stronger cultivation and regulation of cultural and tourism markets, greater use of science and technology, expanded exchanges and cooperation, and more coordinated development of culture and tourism across regions and between urban and rural areas.

A total of 54 key projects have been designed following feasibility studies to support implementation of the plan, according to the ministry.

The ministry said efforts will also be made to modernize governance systems and capacity in the culture and tourism sector, improve institutional mechanisms, policies and regulations, and strengthen support in resources and other key areas.

The plan calls for stronger coordination among government departments and improved implementation mechanisms, urging authorities to respond to people's new expectations through concrete progress in cultural and tourism development.