Favorable wind for fengshui?

Experts are debating whether to include folk beliefs such as fengshui on the nation's list of intangible cultural heritage, a Chinese culture official said a few days ago.

Now also widely known in the West, fengshui is an ancient Chinese system that uses astronomical and geographical beliefs to channel positive energy and create harmony.

Wang Wenzhang, vice-culture minister, made the comment at a press conference on June 16 when asked whether fengshui should be nominated for inclusion on a UNESCO's list of intangible heritage.

If fengshui is on the list of intangible cultural heritage, the government needs to make science-based conservation plans and identify the responsible party to protect such folk beliefs, according to guidelines by the State Council.

Also, the government will provide financial assistance to practitioners of cultural heritage and ensure they are diligent in further transmission of the form, the "Notice on Strengthening the Protection of Cultural Heritage" says.

In 2009, Mazu - a goddess many in southern China believe protects sailors and fishermen - was added to the UNESCO list, triggering interest in inclusion of other beliefs.

The preservation of folklore and arts such as music should be given priority in heritage conservation, Wang said.

But he noted any conclusion about whether fengshui should be on the list should not be made easily.

"Moves to include or exclude China's folk beliefs as government-recognized heritage must be thoroughly discussed," he said.

Wang noted the government continues to seek expert advice, adding that ancient practices and beliefs require in-depth research.

Preservation does not necessarily mean including an item in the list, some experts said.

"There are so many traditions and customs practiced every day. I do not think it is necessary to deliberately recognize fengshui as intangible heritage," said Liu Kuili, a researcher of ethnic studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Since 2005 China has expanded recognition of intangible heritage with 10 additional categories such as sports and folk customs.

Some 870,000 items were identified possessing cultural heritage after a four-year nationwide study that ended in 2009.

Wang added that China will continue to cooperate with neighboring countries to nominate shared intangible cultural heritage items for the UNESCO list.

Protection should take priority over competing for nominations, Wang stressed. The co-nomination of China and Mongolia for the Urtiitn Duu, a traditional folk song, was accepted by UNESCO in 2005.

China will also introduce its own protection law, which has been included in the legislation agenda of the State Council.

"There are many ways to protect intangible heritage, but legislative regulation is the fundamental guarantee for the protection," Wang said.

China Daily

(China Daily 06/30/2010 page17)