UNESCO inscribes China's "24 Solar Terms" on Intangible Cultural Heritage list

Chinese representatives celebrate as China's "The Twenty-Four Solar Terms" is inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity during the 11th session of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritages in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nov. 30, 2016. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

The UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has inscribed China's "The Twenty-Four Solar Terms" on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The decision for the Chinese heritage, knowledge in China of time and practices developed through observation of the sun's annual motion, came here on Wednesday during the 11th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

During the meeting, the representatives of 24 States Parties to UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, are examining 37 requests for inscription on the Representative List.

Speaking after the decision that has adopted the inscription of the Chinese intangible heritage, Zhang Ling, an official of Chinese Delegation, said that the 24 Solar Terms clearly embodies the concepts of respect for nature, and harmony between man and nature.

"On behalf of the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China, my delegation would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the community members, evaluation body and the secretariat for your great effort on the examination and inscription of the 24 Solar Terms," she said.

This is the third inscribed element submitted by China that falls in the domain of knowledge and practices concerning nature and universe as defined in the 2003 convention, according to her.

"As a traditional knowledge system of time that enjoys thousands of years of inter-generational transmission, the 24 Solar Terms clearly embodies the concepts of respect for nature, and harmony between man and nature," she added.

"We believe that the inscription of the 24 Solar Terms on the Representative List will not only enhance cultural identity of communities and groups concerned but also contributes to ensuring visibility and awareness of the significance of the ICH in general," she noted.