Plan to revitalize traditional crafts

SHI YU/CHINA DAILY

State Council's document aims to help protect Chinese culture and heritage

A new plan aimed at further promoting traditional Chinese crafts, especially those listed as part of the country's intangible cultural heritage, has been issued by the State Council, China's Cabinet.

The Plan on Revitalizing China's Traditional Crafts, released on March 24, aims to inject momentum into the protection of Chinese culture and heritage.

It calls for better management of the industry and increased market competitiveness, with substantial improvements to be made by 2020.

According to the document, traditional crafts are set to play a more significant role in creating jobs, with the incomes of practitioners to be increased and industrial structures to be diversified. The country is also set to establish a national catalog of traditional crafts and increase the number of intangible cultural heritage inheritors.

Migrant workers are being encouraged to return to their hometowns to develop traditional crafts and grow their local cultural industry, with favorable polices being put in place to help them.

More efforts will be made to improve the design, production and quality of traditional products, as higher-quality materials and a modern management system are introduced.

The document also encouraged enterprises and practitioners of traditional crafts to protect their secrets, apply for trademarks and know their intellectual property rights.

In the meantime, further efforts should be made to enhance the promotion and sales of traditional products, the document said, recommending displays and roadshows at popular tourism sites.