5-year plan targets cultural heritage growth

China's top cultural heritage authority has unveiled its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), outlining priorities for the country's cultural relics sector over the next five years. The blueprint, released earlier this month by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, was opened for public consultation on Wednesday.

The plan sets development goals across 10 key areas, including heritage conservation, relic safety, public education, archaeology, museum development and international cooperation.

By 2030, China aims to have around 700 cultural heritage-related laws and regulations — about 100 more than at present. The country's museums are expected to receive 1.6 billion visits annually and stage a combined 15,000 original temporary exhibitions each year, up from 1.56 billion visits and 14,000 exhibitions recorded last year. China also plans to expand its network of national archaeological parks from the current 65 to 70.

New technologies will play a greater role in protecting cultural relics. Remote-sensing satellites and enhanced patrols of underwater heritage sites will strengthen monitoring efforts, while a long-term nationwide project will focus on the conservation of grotto temples.

Major national archaeological programs in the next five years include a project to study Xia (c. 21st to 16th century BC) and Shang (c. 16th to 11th century BC) dynasties, a research program on ocean archaeology in Chinese waters, and related studies on the Maritime Silk Road. The nationwide project tracing the origins of Chinese civilization will enter its sixth phase.

The plan also calls for broader international collaboration through joint archaeological projects, research into ancient civilizations, heritage conservation and museum partnerships. Greater efforts will also be devoted to studying Chinese cultural relics housed in overseas institutions.