The "Traditional Tea Processing Techniques and Associated Social Practices in China" project has made the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with the approval form the organization's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage on November 29. So far, China ranks first in the world with 43 projects inscribed on the intangible cultural heritage list of the UNESCO, contributing "Chinese color" to the world's cultural diversity.
Apart from tea, Chinese Cuju showed up in Qatar in various forms during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, telling the Chinese Cuju culture to football fans around the world. The "24 Solar Terms" at the opening ceremony of Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 amazed the world, exhibiting China's cultural heritage and confidence... According to statistics, by the end of 2021, there were more than 100,000 representative intangible cultural heritage projects at all levels in China, 1,557 of which were labeled national-class; the number of representative inheritors at all levels reached over 90,000, including 3,062 national-class ones. A raft of intangible cultural heritage resources have become a crucial part to display China's image and make China's voice heard.（by Zhang Binbin）
Cuju
Cuju, originated in Linzi, former capital of Qi state during the Warring States period, is an ancient sport in China with a history of more than 2,300 years. In the Tang Dynasty, Chinese Cuju spread east to Japan and Korea, west to Europe, and would eventually develop into modern football in England. In 2006, Cuju was inscribed on the list of national intangible cultural heritage representative projects in China.
Chinese shadow puppetry
Chinese shadow puppetry was inscribed on the Representative List of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011. It is a kind of drama, in which artiests hold colored shadow figures made of leather or paper and perform accompanied by music and singing. The play conveys information about culture and history, social beliefs, oral traditions and local customs.
Traditional Tea Processing Techniques and Associated Social Practices in China
The "Traditional Tea Processing Techniques and Associated Social Practices in China" project refers to knowledge, skills and practices of tea plantation management, leaf picking, tea hand-making, drinking and sharing. This heritage has been handed down from generation to generation, reflecting the Chinese values of modesty, harmony, courtesy and respect.
Kun Opera
Kun Opera was added to the Representative List of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008, ranking first of its kind in China. Originating in the Ming Dynasty, Kun Opera is one of the oldest active Chinese operas. The singing of Kun Opera is very artistic, laying big impacts on all kinds of modern drama in China.
The 24 Solar Terms - knowledge system and social practice on time formed by the Chinese people through observing the anniversary of the Sun's apparent motion
The project was added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016. The "24 Solar Terms" is a knowledge system and social practice formed by the Chinese people through observing the anniversary of the apparent motion of the Sun to understand the change rules of season, climate, phenology and other aspects of the year.
（Editor Yan Ru）
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