Promoting heritage is a plum job

A group of children, practicing plum blossom boxing, drew a great deal of attention at the Shandong rural cultural and tourism festival in the province's Guanxian county, Liaocheng in late February.

"It was the intangible cultural heritage performance from the county's Gaosanli village that boasts a history of 3,000 years," said Gao Zengyou, president of the Guanxian Plum Blossom Boxing Inheritance Association.

Gao was still reliving the event that lasted for 10 days and packed in the crowds. "I now have more than 100 apprentices," he said with pride.

Local authorities have stepped up efforts in carrying forward the local intangible cultural heritage over the years. Related performances have been staged in various martial art festivals and intangible cultural heritage exhibitions across the province, according to He Ning, deputy county head.

The move has stimulated local villagers' enthusiasm in practicing the sport, He notes. "We will create new cultural and tourism landmarks, use festivals and competitions to drive the development of the martial arts fitness and leisure market, and promote martial arts culture," He says.