Safeguarding the Living Cultural Vein: A Policy-Oriented Analysis of Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance and Renewal in China

This paper provides a policy-oriented overview of the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in China, examining it as a living carrier of national identity. While ICH is deeply rooted in China’s 5000-year civilization—encompassing everything from Kunqu Opera to traditional tea-making—it currently faces significant dilemmas, including inheritance breakage, shrinking cultural spaces, and the tension between preservation and economic development. Drawing on a narrative review of Chinese laws and national policy reports, this study proposes a multidimensional safeguarding path integrating “productive protection”, school-based education, and the innovative synergy of culture and tourism. The analysis concludes that while creative transformation is essential for ensuring the sustainable vitality of China’s cultural essence, careful attention must be paid to the trade-offs between modernization and cultural authenticity.