China strengthens cultural heritage protection

In 2012, the area was placed on China's waiting list to become a world cultural heritage site.

For intangible cultural heritages, like mulberry silk weaving, the problem is how to pass on the technique.

Zhao Feng, curator of the China National Silk Museum, said mulberry fields shrink 10 to 15 percent each year in Haining city, a core area for the silk industry historically.

"In ten years, workers who reel silk from cocoons will no longer be able find a job in the city," said Zhao.

"Once a hard currency on the Ancient Silk Road, silk, silk's weaving technique, and its relevant culture and history should all be preserved," Zhao added.

The curator is now working on an ecological garden for mulberry trees in order to promote silk production and silk weaving in an ancient village in Haining.

"Hopefully more people learn to appreciate silk weaving and understand the importance of preserving it," he said.

Wang Xiaobing, professor at Intangible Cultural Heritage Research Center of Sun Yat-sen University is delighted to see increasing awareness of cultural heritage preservation.

He said, "China once lost confidence in its traditional culture and only rediscovered its charm in the past two decades."

Wang said when the country first carried out the reform and opening up policy, culture gave way to economic development and ancient villages transformed in to commercial blocks.

"But now people care more about their cultural identity," he added.