Yang Jianwu: "Effectively Protect Non-renewable Cultural Heritage"
Cultural heritage is the wealth left to humanity by history and the gem of human civilization. During his tenure in Zhejiang, General Secretary Xi Jinping attached great importance to the protection of cultural heritage. Focusing on major issues such as why we protect cultural heritage, what objects should be protected, who should bear the responsibility for protection, and how to better advance protection work, he conducted forward-looking and systematic practical explorations at the provincial level. He proposed a series of new perspectives, judgments, and measures regarding the construction of cultural heritage protection systems, the protection of intangible cultural heritage, the protection, development, and utilization of "Red" resources [1], the establishment of a correct view of political performance [2] in cultural heritage protection, the mobilization of social forces to participate in protection, the coordinated advancement of heritage protection alongside economic and social development, and the active promotion of World Cultural Heritage applications. He personally planned and implemented cultural protection projects, providing ideological guidance and a manual for action for Zhejiang’s cultural heritage work, while also providing rich theoretical and practical material for the systematic advancement of cultural heritage protection after the 18th CPC National Congress.
I. Centering on the protection of cultural heritage as a precious asset, clearly proposing to "prioritize rescue-oriented efforts and put protection first, earnestly protecting non-renewable cultural heritage"
In the early 21st century, the task of cultural heritage protection in Zhejiang was arduous. The phenomenon of "emphasizing utilization while neglecting protection" was still common, and issues regarding the safety of cultural relics were prominent. Comrade Xi Jinping deeply recognized the vital value of cultural heritage, noting: "Cultural heritage is the crystallization of national wisdom and the witness of national culture. It contains a nation's unique spiritual values, ways of thinking, creativity, vitality, and imagination. It is hard to say that a nation or country without cultural heritage is a nation or country with true strength." He added: "The long-standing, profound, and profoundly meaningful cultural traditions of Zhejiang are a precious wealth bestowed upon us by history, as well as an abundant resource and inexhaustible driving force for us to open up the future." He also emphasized: "In building a major cultural province, we will treat the rich historical and cultural heritage and the colorful national and folk arts as a precious resource." Comrade Xi Jinping personally led and deployed a series of key tasks and major projects for cultural heritage protection in Zhejiang. For example, regarding the protection of the West Lake [3] cultural landscape: In 2002, Comrade Xi Jinping chose West Lake as the first stop of his inspection of Hangzhou. In September 2003, while inspecting the West Lake Comprehensive Protection Project, he noted: "Around the West Lake, there is history everywhere and culture at every step... We must protect, utilize, pass down, and carry forward these historical and cultural remains." Another example is the protection of the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City [4]. Comrade Xi Jinping visited Liangzhu twice for research. In July 2003, he noted: "The Liangzhu site is a holy place proving the 5,000-year history of Chinese civilization; it is a rare and precious asset that we must protect well." He also went to the Kuahuqiao [5] site twice for research. In April 2006, during his second inspection of the Kuahuqiao site, he stated that we should conduct in-depth research on Kuahuqiao culture and carry it forward. In November 2006, the Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau’s Zhejiang Cultural Relics Briefing [6] announced new archaeological discoveries at the Shangshan [7] site in Pujiang County, dating back 9,000 to 10,000 years. Comrade Xi Jinping made an important instruction regarding this: "We must strengthen the research and promotion of Shangshan culture." These important expositions and practical explorations by Comrade Xi Jinping fully reflect a high degree of cultural self-awareness, flagrantly answering the principled questions of cultural heritage protection and clarifying the fundamental direction of such work.
II. Centering on the systematic protection of various cultural heritage resources, clearly proposing to "build a relatively complete protection system for immovable cultural relics, historical and cultural cities, blocks, and villages/towns, and basically establish a rationally distributed network of museums with Zhejiang’s regional characteristics"
Every site of immovable cultural relics, every historical and cultural city, and every historical and cultural block or village is a witness to history and carries regional memory. During his time in Zhejiang, General Secretary Xi Jinping required the systematic protection of all types of cultural heritage, demanding that we "seize the moment to rescue, scientifically protect, rationally develop, and effectively utilize Zhejiang’s historical and cultural heritage, and actively perform work in cultural relic protection and utilization demonstrations, historical and cultural city protection, and World Cultural Heritage applications, striving to build a relatively complete protection system for immovable cultural relics and historical and cultural cities, blocks, and villages." In practice, Comrade Xi Jinping focused both on the temporary restoration and exhibition of relics and on the compilation and publication of documentary materials. For example, he presided over and promoted the implementation of the Zhejiang Culture Research Project, personally serving as the director of its steering committee—setting the direction, choosing topics, making requirements, and writing the general preface. For instance, he provided full support and remained "constantly mindful" [8] of the "A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings" project, personally leading and energetically promoting it at every key junction and through every difficult period. June 10, 2006, was China’s first "Cultural Heritage Day." Comrade Xi Jinping researched the restoration project of the Wenglan Pavilion [9] in Hangzhou, and on September 27 of that year, he issued a special instruction regarding the facsimile publication plan for the Wenlan Pavilion edition of the Siku Quanshu (Complete Library in Four Sections): "The Wenlan Pavilion edition of the Siku Quanshu is broad, profound, and rich in content. Its facsimile publication is a major event in cultural construction and holds great significance for the cultural research projects our province is carrying out." After ten years of effort, the facsimile publication of the Wenlan Pavilion edition of the Siku Quanshu—the result of the painstaking efforts of generations of Zhejiang scholars—was completed, totaling over 1,500 volumes. These important expositions and practical explorations used systematic thinking to clarify the primary objects of cultural heritage protection, enhancing the comprehensiveness and integrity of the work. This ensured that Zhejiang’s diverse cultural heritage was effectively protected and promoted the inheritance and development of Zhejiang’s humanistic spirit and historical culture.
III. Centering on the protection of intangible cultural heritage, clearly proposing that "we must protect both material cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage"
Passed down through generations, intangible cultural heritage is an important component of fine traditional Chinese culture, accumulating the deepest spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation. During his work in Zhejiang, General Secretary Xi Jinping attached great importance to the protection of intangible cultural heritage, emphasizing that "we must protect both material cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage" and must not "allow for a rupture in the cultural lineage." Between May and June 2005, Comrade Xi Jinping made six consecutive instructions on intangible cultural heritage protection, involving the inheritance and protection of Zhejiang folk crafts, the rescue of the Gaodengshan ancient village in Pujiang County, folk art protection projects, and the rescue and revitalization of the Yongjia Kunqu Opera Troupe. Following his instructions, from 2002 to 2005, the Zhejiang provincial treasury allocated special funds annually for the excavation and protection of excellent national and folk art resources and the cultivation of folk art talent, supporting protection activities in economically underdeveloped areas. Yue Opera [10] is a representative local opera of Zhejiang and was included in the first batch of the national intangible cultural heritage list. With Comrade Xi Jinping's support, the China Yue Opera Festival found a permanent home in Zhejiang, playing a vital role in upgrading theater facilities, flourishing the art of the stage, and training Yue Opera talent. Additionally, he lent his full support to the protection and inheritance of other local operas. The culture of Great Yu [11] has a long history and profound influence in Zhejiang. Under his care and support, the Shaoxing Sacrifice to Great Yu was successfully included in the first batch of the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006, and the public sacrifice to Great Yu became a significant ritual activity. These expositions revealed the functional value of intangible cultural heritage and pointed the way for its protection, guiding Zhejiang’s efforts toward new achievements.
IV. Centering on guarding the "Red Root" [12], clearly proposing that "the protection, development, and utilization of these Red resources and the development of Red tourism hold multiple significances: political, cultural, and economic"
Zhejiang is the place where the "Red Boat" [13] of the Chinese revolution set sail; revolutionary vestiges are found across the province, and Red tourism resources are abundant. During his work in Zhejiang, General Secretary Xi Jinping deeply recognized the importance of revolutionary relics. He emphasized guarding the Red Root, noting: "The mutual radiance of historical culture, revolutionary culture, and modern culture makes Zhejiang culture shine even more brilliantly. These cultural traditions constitute the cultural genes passed down through generations, flowing in the blood of Zhejiang people for thousands of years, forming Zhejiang's unique cultural spirit and humanistic advantages." He added: "Red scenic spots condense the glorious history, fine traditions, and struggling spirit of our Party and our army. They are precious resources for carrying forward the great national spirit and strengthening education in revolutionary traditions. Protecting, developing, and utilizing these Red resources... has multiple significances: political, cultural, and economic." While in Zhejiang, he particularly emphasized the protection of Red resources and the promotion of the "Red Boat Spirit." In June 2005, he summarized the "Red Boat Spirit" as: "the pioneering spirit of being the first to break new ground; the struggling spirit of firm ideals and indomitability; and the spirit of devotion to the Party for the public and loyalty to the people." He systematically explained its profound connotations and contemporary value. Under his direct care, the construction of the new South Lake Revolutionary Memorial Hall was listed as a key provincial project. In June 2006, he personally laid the foundation stone for the new hall, anchoring the source coordinates of the Red Root in Zhejiang. He also condensed a series of precious spiritual achievements from Zhejiang’s revolutionary history and vibrant practice, affirming the "Ant Island Spirit" and the "Dachen Island Reclamation Spirit," expanding Zhejiang’s spiritual treasury.
V. Centering on establishing a correct view of political performance in cultural heritage protection, clearly proposing that "protecting cultural heritage is the historical mission and sacred duty of Party committees and governments at all levels in our province"
Establishing a correct view of political performance regarding cultural heritage protection is not only a respect for history but also a responsibility for the future. Addressing the incorrect views of some leading cadres, Comrade Xi Jinping proposed that Party committees and governments are the main subjects responsible for protection. He noted: "Protecting cultural heritage is the historical mission and sacred duty of Party committees and governments at all levels in our province." He further remarked: "Current leaders at various levels are no longer the 'Ameng of Wu' [14]; they all have certain knowledge and cultural backgrounds. Therefore, leaders today should have an understanding of cultural heritage—that is the bare minimum. If neglect due to ignorance in the past could still be excused, neglect today given their level of understanding is a problem of consciousness and a problem of their 'view of political performance.'" He criticized those who "do not want to expend effort on things that are not earth-shattering, won’t win you a medal, or don't show immediate results." Comrade Xi Jinping treated "cultural protection projects" as essential work. Under his promotion, the Zhejiang Provincial Government established the Provincial Committee for the Protection and Management of Historical and Cultural Heritage. In 2005, the Standing Committee of the Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress promulgated the Regulations of Zhejiang Province on the Protection and Management of Cultural Relics; in 2006, the Regulations of Zhejiang Province on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage was listed as a primary local legislative project, putting forward clearer requirements and stricter systems. These expositions further clarified the responsibility of Party and government bodies as the main subjects of protection, driving Zhejiang’s work to be more comprehensive, systematic, and scientific.
VI. Centering on the mobilization of social forces to participate in cultural heritage protection, clearly proposing that "protecting and inheriting cultural heritage is everyone's business"
Cultural heritage is the collective precious wealth of humanity, and protecting it is the responsibility of everyone. Regarding the reality of Zhejiang, cultural heritage sites are numerous, widely distributed, and relatively scattered. During his tenure in Zhejiang, General Secretary Xi Jinping, addressing the actual conditions of cultural heritage protection work, emphasized the need to actively guide and encourage social forces to participate in the protection of cultural heritage. He pointed out that "the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage is everyone’s business. Only if every one of us cares for and cherishes the wealth left to us by our predecessors can our nation’s spirit, unique aesthetic taste, and distinct traditional character be passed down." He stressed the establishment and improvement of expert consultation systems for cultural heritage protection, as well as systems for public and media supervision, so as to give full play to the roles of academic institutions, institutions of higher learning, enterprises, public institutions, and social organizations in jointly carrying out cultural heritage protection work. In September 2003, when Comrade Xi Jinping visited Zhuge Village in Lanxi [15] to investigate the protection and developmental utilization of ancient villages, he gave full affirmation to its holistic protection and the mode of protection where villagers and the village coexist. In June 2006, during a specialized investigation into cultural heritage protection, while mentioning the protection of ancient villages, Comrade Xi Jinping again affirmed Zhuge Village's approach to protection and utilization, characterized as "everyone is a shareholder, everyone is a cultural relic protector." The concept of "universal protection of cultural heritage by all people" advocated by Comrade Xi Jinping, and its vivid practice in Zhejiang, revealed the profound logic of "whom to rely on and whom to serve" in cultural heritage protection, providing a "golden key" [16] for the innovation of cultural heritage protection systems and mechanisms.
VII. Centering on the nomination of World Cultural Heritage sites, clearly proposing that "nomination [17] has many conditions, and requires determination and the paying of a price"
World Cultural Heritage constitutes an important achievement of human civilizational development; it is among the most precious legacies in the cultural storehouse of humanity and an important vehicle for promoting exchange and mutual learning between different civilizations. During his tenure in Zhejiang, General Secretary Xi Jinping attached great importance to the nomination work for World Cultural Heritage. At that time, Zhejiang did not yet have a single World Heritage site; the foundation was relatively weak, and the nomination work had started late. In November 2002, while inspecting the Hangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone and the "Westward Expansion of West Lake" project sites, Comrade Xi Jinping explicitly stated that the province actively supported the West Lake comprehensive protection and environmental remediation project, as well as the nomination of West Lake for World Heritage status. In October 2004, Comrade Xi Jinping pointed out the need to "accelerate the pace of nominating World Natural and Cultural Heritage sites and World Geoparks, and to cultivate world-class brand tourism products." On May 11, 2005, in an instruction regarding the "Report on the Inspection Tour of the Northeast Site of Jian [18] by the Liangzhu Relics Protection Inspection Group," Comrade Xi Jinping pointed out: "Our province remains a blank slate regarding World Heritage nominations. Nominating a site has many conditions, and requires determination and the paying of a price." On July 4, 2005, regarding the "Report on the Protection and Nomination of the Liangzhu Relics" submitted by the Provincial Department of Culture and the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, Comrade Xi Jinping again instructed: "The Hangzhou Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government should continue to advance the protection and nomination work." Before the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City were successfully inscribed as a World Heritage site, Comrade Xi Jinping had issued seven important instructions and comments regarding its protection and nomination. Under the care and support of Comrade Xi Jinping, the archaeology and nomination work for the Liangzhu site continuously achieved new breakthroughs. Regarding the protection of the Grand Canal, Comrade Xi Jinping conducted in-depth on-site investigations. On December 31, 2006, while inspecting the comprehensive remediation and protective development project of the China Grand Canal (Hangzhou section), Comrade Xi Jinping pointed out: "The comprehensive remediation and protective development project of the canal highlights the requirement of returning the river to the people and benefiting the people. It is hoped that Hangzhou will make good use of this 'golden business card' of the canal, truly building it into a landscape river, ecological river, and humanistic river that possesses the characteristics of the times and the features of Hangzhou, truly becoming 'the people's canal' and 'the tourists' canal'." Comrade Xi Jinping’s concern, guidance, personal deployment, and devoted promotion of the nomination work laid a solid foundation for the successful World Heritage listing of the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, the Grand Canal, and the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City.
The systematic thinking of General Secretary Xi Jinping on cultural heritage protection during his tenure in Zhejiang has been continuously tested, developed, and improved in practice. It fully reflects his scientific grasp of the laws governing cultural heritage protection and offers us profound enlightenment: Cultural heritage is the precious wealth left to us by our ancestors [19] and is invaluable; we must, from the height of cultural inheritance and the continuity of civilization, adhere to "protection first" and protect historical and cultural heritage as we cherish our own lives. Cultural heritage protection is a complex systemic project; to hand over cultural heritage intact to future generations, we must always regard it as a cultural living organism, take holistic protection as our basic policy, and implement comprehensive measures. Red cultural heritage [20] carries the Party's original aspiration and founding mission; we must strengthen the collection, organization, protection, and research of such heritage, emphasizing both the protection of tangible heritage and the inheritance of intangible heritage, to ensure that the "red gene" is passed down from generation to generation. We must enhance our sense of awe, reverence, and cherished love for historical and cultural heritage, establishing a working pattern for cultural heritage protection characterized by Party committee leadership, government responsibility, departmental coordination, and social participation, using the strictest systems and the most rigorous rule of law to protect cultural heritage. We must guarantee the people's right to know, participate, supervise, and evaluate cultural heritage protection work, effectively mobilizing the strength and wisdom of all parties to create a positive atmosphere where "protecting cultural relics is everyone's responsibility." We must persist in the dialectical unity of protection and development, properly handling major relationships such as protection versus development, tradition versus modernity, and upholding the fundamentals versus breaking new ground, while continuously forging a new path for a "win-win" situation in protection and development. Cultural heritage is an important vehicle for promoting exchange and mutual learning between different civilizations; we must persist in taking World Cultural Heritage nomination as a strategic choice to expand the influence of Chinese culture and promote civilizational exchange and mutual learning, strengthening exchanges in cultural heritage protection to jointly safeguard the cultural and natural treasures of all humanity.