Shaolin Kungfu: Intangible Cultural Heritage With Chinese Characteristics

Last Saturday it was China's National Cultural Heritage Day. A tangible reminder of some intangible treasures worth protecting.

In August 2004, China joined the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage after ratification of the Standing Committee of National People’s Congress.

To implement the treaty, the Standing Committee adopted the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

China began listing forms of cultural heritage with Chinese characteristics at the State, provincial, city and county levels, that are worth protecting.

Spring Festival, Peking Opera, acupuncture, The Legend of Madame White Snake and Shaolin Kungfu are the first batch of intangible cultural heritage with Chinese characteristics that are recognised by the State Council.

Read about Shaolin Monks protecting themselves against intellectual property rights infringement here.

Read more about Chinese intangible cultural heritage here. A primer on the subject you can find here.