China takes steps to develop cultural heritage tourism

The China National Tourism Administration and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage have signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement to jointly enhance cooperation and consultation in the fields of tourism development and the preservation of cultural relics.

Pursuant to the agreement, the two parties will cooperate in six aspects. First, set up a working group to coordinate the country's cultural heritage tourism business and to jointly solve the problems of cultural heritage tourism. Second, conduct joint research and investigation on cultural heritage tourism, with the aim of publishing a "China National Cultural Heritage Development Report" by the end of each five-year plan. Third, jointly hold a "national cultural heritage protection and tourism development working conference to arrange work for the next stage of the project. Fourth, initiate the formulation of standards for a cultural heritage tourism demonstration area and launch pilot work for this to explore new models for the harmonious development of cultural heritage tourism. Fifth, jointly establish expert inspection systems to examine and evaluate the protection and tourism development of cultural heritage regularly. Sixth, set up a joint enforcement mechanism to maintain cultural heritage and the order of the market.

The agreement is in line with the State Council's efforts to accelerate the development of the country's hospitality industry. It marks the new beginning of strategic cooperation between the two administrations.

According to official statistics, China currently has 2,352 sites under national protection, 9,396 sites under the protection of provincial governments and 58,300 sites under the protection of county or municipal authorities.