China’s safeguarding of cultural heritage signals its global ambition

For China, the protection of antiquities is not just about safeguarding objects of its past – it is about defining its place in the future

By Deborah Lehr as featured on South China Morning Post

China is making its cultural heritage protection a national priority – and a pillar of its global identity.

As one of the world’s fastest-growing art markets, China has taken steps in recent years to better safeguard its cultural heritage, both at home and abroad. From restoring ancient sites to recovering looted antiquities and building museums at a rapid rate, these efforts reflect more than a conservation push. They signal that the world’s most populous nation views the protection of its antiquities as central to its national identity and role on the global stage.