Chinese culture, rooted in history, continuously innovates to appeal to young people and has made its way beyond borders.
The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, China’s top political advisory body, held a press conference March 3rd. This was one day before the opening of its annual session.
Liu Jieyi, spokesperson for the 14th CPPCC National Committee’s third session, briefed the media on the body’s efforts to promote traditional Chinese culture over the past year.
“China’s traditional culture reflects the spiritual aspirations of its people,” Liu said. “This cultural legacy is a precious resource that drives the country’s progress and transformation.”
Promoting Fine Traditional Chinese Culture
Last year, CPPCC members visited Shandong, Shanxi, and Henan provinces, among others. They conducted in-depth research at museums, cultural heritage sites, ancient city districts, research institutions, and universities. They held discussions with frontline cultural and museum workers to understand the progress of major cultural projects, such as the project to trace the origins of Chinese civilization. Based on their findings, they offered suggestions to modernize cultural heritage.
The CPPCC also organized experts to compile the book 100 Facts on History and Culture of the Community for the Chinese Nation. The book aims to help the public develop a correct historical perspective on the country. It highlights the unity and diversity of the Chinese nation. It has been recognized as a significant contribution to the study and portrayal of Chinese civilization.
Successful Film Boosts the Local Tourism
What’s more, the continued success of Ne Zha 2 at the box office sparks greater interest in Sichuan province, the birthplace of the film series. This will create new opportunities for the province’s culture and tourism sectors, said Chen Guanghao, a deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress, during the “Two Sessions”.
The animated film, released during this year’s Spring Festival, has earned nearly 15 billion yuan.
Chen, who is also the director of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, noted that the movie draws inspiration from over 20 historical Chinese artifacts, such as birds and swords.
“The film’s success is also due to its portrayal of Ne Zha as a young hero trying to change his destiny, which resonates with audiences,” Chen said.
He emphasized that the film’s popularity will bring more tourism opportunities to Sichuan. The province is home to scenic spots like the ancient Shu roads, Jiuzhai Valley, and Daocheng Yading. Sichuan plans to develop new travel products based on the movie and its music, which will help boost consumption.
Online Literature Gains Popularity Overseas
As China intensifies efforts to expand its global cultural reach, Jiang Shengnan, a CPPCC National Committee member and renowned online literature author, has proposed reforms to regulate the rapidly growing Web literature sector. She also suggested revitalizing historical television dramas to better promote Chinese culture overseas.
A 2024 report by the China Writers Association revealed that China’s online literature users surpassed 500 million in 2023. The report also showed that more than 30 million literary works were published online by the end of 2023.
The latest data shows that, by November 2024, WebNovel, a subsidiary of the Chinese online literature platform Yuewen, had translated 6,000 Chinese novels into other languages. It has also nurtured 450,000 overseas writers and attracted 300 million users across more than 200 countries and regions.
“Given the massive scale of online writers and internet users in China, it is essential to establish a national online writers association,” Jiang said. She added that the association could unify fragmented regional groups, provide legal support, and encourage socially responsible storytelling through national awards.
Jiang highlighted Zhejiang Province’s success in creating cross-media hits through collaborations between writer villages and research institutes. She stressed the need to shift the sector from “unchecked expansion to curated excellence.” The goal is to ensure stories reflect values like “harmony in diversity” while remaining globally appealing.
Innovation Helps Intangible Cultural Heritage
Intangible cultural heritage drew attention during the “Two Sessions”. Yang Yuni, a post-1995 ethnic Hani woman, called for continuous innovation in preserving intangible cultural heritage.
“Through my work and heritage practices, I’ve realized that traditional culture cannot rely solely on static preservation; it must evolve with the times,” said Yang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
Yang founded the Yuni Cultural Heritage Center in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province in 2016. Over the years, the center has trained more than 3,000 young people.
Yang explained that to make intangible cultural heritage more trendy and appealing, her team has worked to combine modern dance, pop music, and other elements with traditional heritage.
“I believe the protection of intangible cultural heritage is not about returning to the past but about continuous innovation,” she said, “Our ancestors left us not only ancient songs but also a spirit of innovation. I hope more young people will join us to make cultural heritage live on more vibrantly.”
Written by Yi Shen, picture designed by Dai Qing, additional reporting from Ecns, Xinhua, Global Times, China Daily.
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