The Endurance of Chinese Charm

The world cultural heritage list is comprised of cultural resources of universal value,and deep and significant meaning to mankind and is therefore part of a global treasury. The world cultural heritage sites in China are representative of the ancient history and fascinating civilization of the country.     

Gities of Reconciliation and Revolution：Eco-House in Shanghai

Haft of the world＇s population already lives in cities and more are on their way to becoming urbanites. Rapid urbanization is exerting unrelenting pressure on the environment, transportation, energy and employment, pushing countries around the world to work out solutions. China has approached these problems according to its own situation, and historic and cultural foundations. After years of exploration and experimentation some cities are customizing and piloting their own solutions. The import of this goes deeper than ＂nice and dean＂; some say it is publicly and privately revolutionary.     

VITALITY THROUGH DIVERSITY

正China strives to thread the multicultural fabric of Asiannations into a seamless wholThe explosion in cultural and economic diversity that,today,billions of people around the world are taking part in is a result of a long historical process that is rapidly picking up momentum.As e-commerce develops in China,for example,ordering dates from the Middle East—a     

Wei Jinquon,Casting Light on Shadow Plays

Born into a Family of Shadow Play performers, WeiJinquan has made and performed with shadow puppets since boyhood. His works, which features quality craftsmanship and traditional techniques, are now sold around the world. He has performed many times, both inside and outside China, including three events in France. Wei was named an inheritor of China＇s intangible cultural heritage in 2008.     

Wei Jinquan,Casting Light on Shadow Play

正Born into a family of Shadow Play performers,Wei Jinquan has made and performed with shadow puppets since boyhood.His works,which features quality craftsmanship and traditional techniques,are now sold around the world.He has performed many times,both inside and outside China,including three events in France.Wei was named an inheritor of China’s intangible cultural heritage in 2008.     

Beijing Olympics——Striving for the Highest Quality Services

IN preparing for the Beijing Olympics,the goal has been to create a quality event with a strong Chinese flavor that will showcase the nation s history and culture to the world.As well as a sports meeting,the Beijing Olympic Games will be a diverse cultural pageant.The organizers are striving for the highest level of quality in all aspects of the Games,including the opening and closing ceremonies,media services,security,cultural events,and the organization of Beijing's infrastructure. The Beijing Olympic Games have been planned un- der the auspices of three overarching concepts:a green Olympics,a sci-tech Olympics,and a people-orientated Olympics.In practice this has meant ensuring sustainable development in the construction of venues and support- ing services,utilizing the latest and most advanced tech- nologies and promoting innovation,and upholding and enhancing the well-being and interests of people. The opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games will strive to realize the spirit of"One World,One Dream"by emphasizing the themes of"civi- lization"and"harmony."They will trace the evolution of Chinese civilization and its blending with the outside world,realizing a perfect combination of Chinese cultur- al and Olympic elements. The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BO- COG) has organized five Olympic cultural festivals to further the Olympic spirit. We have also organized publicity activities,such as a global tour of the Fuwa mas- cots,and an Olympic family tour of Beijing,to enhance foreigners' understanding of China and the Beijing Olympic Games.Cooperating with the Chinese Minis- try of Education,we have established 556 Olympic education teachers' schools. Meanwhile,we have organized 207 primary and middle schools in Beijing to con- duct international exchanges,to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese young people and their counterparts from around the world.     

Top U.S. Soap Bombs

Different cultural values see award-winning U.S. melodrama run aground in China It had audiences on the edge of their seats in 202 countries and regions around the world, but in China the show was a deleterious bridge too far. The award-winning American soap opera Desperate Housewives, came, was seen, but failed to conquer Chinese TV audiences, exposing the enormous cultural     

Digital Is Forever

<正>Since the dawn of the Internet age,the world’s Web users have been acquiring an ever-expanding pile of online assets.These online assets,which include e-mail accounts,blogs,videogame avatars and profiles in social media,are stored in hardware devices and servers around the world.     

Culture Refines a City’s Style

In the past decade,the proportion of China’s urban population has increased 3.2 percent annually,giving it the fastest urbanization rate in the world. Of the global cities whose population exceeds 500,000,236 of them,or one quarter of the world’s stock,are in China. Construction projects in cities are reducing the architectural remnants of their traditional culture. The impulses that drive urbanization and modernization seem to contradict the values associated with cultural preservation. What is China’s approach to this dilemma? With this question China Today interviewed Lü Pintian,a researcher with the Chinese National Academy of Arts and a member of the National Experts Committee for Protecting Intangible Cultural Heritage. As a veteran scholar on Chinese culture and arts,Lü Pintian champions mastery of all forms of cultural expression,believing the arts to be the touchstone of social culture and ecological balance. He advocates "reinvigorating handicrafts and activating folklore" as basic tactics for protecting China’s intangible cultural heritage. His academic works have won much acclaim.