In a significant move to safeguard and boost the cultural fabric of China’s Yangtze River, a comprehensive strategy has been recently brought to light. The plan, a joint initiative by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the National Cultural Heritage Administration, and the National Development and Reform Commission, encompasses seven primary tasks aimed at accentuating the river’s cultural significance and its economic potential.
The tasks outlined in the strategy encompass an array of areas, such as the conservation of cultural relics and heritage scattered along the Yangtze River, refinement of related tourism services and cultural products, and the construction of national cultural parks. It also focuses on the creation and promotion of exceptional literary and artistic works themed on the river, as well as the advancement of international cultural exchanges. The overarching goal of this initiative is to allow the Yangtze River, the third-longest river globally, to significantly contribute to the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Moreover, it also aims to improve people’s livelihoods and enrich the country’s cultural landscape.
Traversing over 6,300 kilometers from its source on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau in the west, the Yangtze River meanders through 11 provincial-level regions before it culminates into the East China Sea near Shanghai. Holding the distinction of being China’s longest river, it is venerated as a symbolic representation of the Chinese nation. Together with the Yellow River, the Yangtze River is recognized as one of the two primary waterways that have cradled and nurtured the essence of Chinese civilization.
The new plan seeks to celebrate the unique cultural heritage of the Yangtze River, augment its economic impact, and further highlight its integral role in the evolution of Chinese civilization. By preserving its historical treasures and showcasing its cultural richness, the Yangtze River is poised to symbolize the dynamic interplay between cultural preservation and sustainable economic development.
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