Beijing, September 9, 2024 – The draft revision of China’s Cultural Relics Protection Law has sparked public discussion with suggestions to introduce new incentives for the return of cultural relics. The draft is set to undergo its third reading, and proposals include the addition of regulations related to the photography of cultural relics and encouragement policies for organizations and individuals to repatriate valuable artifacts.
During a press conference held by the Legal Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, spokesperson Wang Xiang outlined the legislative process and addressed questions from journalists. Wang Xiang revealed that the draft of the revised law has been published on the China National People’s Congress website for public opinion, with various channels for open consultation.
The draft is scheduled to be submitted for its third reading at the 11th meeting of the 14th National People’s Congress Standing Committee, which is set to take place from September 10 to 13 in Beijing. Public feedback has been a key component of the legislative process, with 2593 individuals submitting 10,883 opinions and 43 letters during the consultation period on the China National People’s Congress website.
Wang Xiang noted that the public’s main suggestions focused on improving the definition of cultural relics, strengthening the protection of immovable cultural relics, and enhancing the management of privately collected cultural relics. During the revision process, opinions were actively proposed by representatives from Shaanxi Province’s Cui Ronghua and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region’s Zhuo Ya Bahiti, as well as from grassroots legislative contact points in Shanghai Hongqiao and Zhejiang Anji.
The grassroots legislative contact points have played a crucial role in gathering opinions and suggestions from the local community. For instance, Shanghai Hongqiao’s grassroots legislative contact point organized specialized and community forums for the collection of opinions on cultural relic protection. Experts from the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Urban Construction Archives, Changning District Collectors Association, and Changning District People’s Procuratorate, among others, participated in discussions and provided valuable insights.
One of the key proposals was to strengthen the investigation and survey of red cultural relics, with a focus on the preventive function of public interest litigation. This came from the Public Interest Litigation Office of the Changning District People’s Procuratorate, which highlighted the importance of investigating and surveying red cultural relics further and implementing source control and detailed fire safety management measures for immovable cultural relics.
Another suggestion was to introduce new regulations on the photography of cultural relics, particularly to promote the widespread dissemination of cultural relic promotion. This came from Tao Hai, a private collector who is also involved in film and television production. He emphasized the need for a new system for the classification of returned cultural relics and incentives for organizations and individuals to repatriate valuable artifacts.
In the community forums, residents from the Changning District’s Hongqiao neighborhood shared their views on cultural relic protection. Wu Peihua, a 68-year-old former director of the Cultural and Art Center of Changning District, suggested strengthening the protection of residential immovable cultural relics and promoting the public awareness of cultural relic protection.
The proposed revisions to the Cultural Relics Protection Law reflect China’s commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage. By introducing new incentives for the return of cultural relics and regulations for the photography of cultural relics, the government aims to foster a culture of respect and appreciation for cultural heritage among the general public.
The revised draft of the Cultural Relics Protection Law is expected to undergo further debate and refinement before it is finalized. As the legislative process continues, the voices of experts, representatives, and the public will play a crucial role in shaping the future of cultural relic protection in China.
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