China Expands Archives Heritage List with Significant Historical Entries
Fifty-two new archival projects recognized, including key collections from the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
On Monday, the National Archives Administration of China announced an expansion of the China Archives Heritage List with the addition of 52 new archival projects.
This sixth batch highlights significant historical collections, among which five are related to the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, marking a critical period from 1931 to 1945.
The announcement coincided with International Archives Day, emphasizing the importance of preserving historical records.
Among the notable entries is the 'Hundred-Regiment Campaign Archive,' comprising 33 documents that encompass command orders, battle plans, frontline reports, and summaries from the significant military operation initiated in August 1940. This campaign involved 105 regiments and lasted over four months, during which the Eighth Route Army engaged in 1,824 military actions, resulting in substantial casualties for both the Japanese forces and their puppet government counterparts.
Documents related to the campaign hold considerable value, illustrating the strategic maneuvers of the Eighth Route Army and their post-battle analyses.
A critical document dated August 26, 1940, formally named the campaign following a series of early victories.
In addition to wartime records, the newly inscribed archives include Taoist texts from the Jin (1115-1234) and Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties, Buddhist documents from the Yuan Dynasty, imperial examination records from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and various materials from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) onwards, showcasing China's rich historical tapestry and diversity in ethnic cultures.
Formats of these documents vary widely, incorporating paper records, bronze inscriptions, stone carvings, bamboo slips, and woodblock prints, sourced from a range of institutions including archives, museums, libraries, and universities.
Since the inception of the China Archives Heritage Project in 2000, 250 archival collections have been recognized, with the aim of rescuing, preserving, and developing key historical materials.
According to authorities, the newly added items conform to UNESCO's Memory of the World program standards, which assess historical and aesthetic significance, demonstrating the cultural and community importance of the archives.
Wang Hongmin, head of UNESCO's Memory of the World program within the National Archives Administration, noted that while UNESCO's other heritage lists are more recognized, the Memory of the World Register plays a crucial role in highlighting documentary heritage that reflects Chinese civilization's contributions to global culture.
Despite China's wealth of documentary resources, the nomination process is competitive, with strict quotas on the number of entries each country can submit for the global Memory of the World Register.
To enhance global awareness of its documentary heritage, China has implemented provincial-level selection procedures to better curate its contributions to UNESCO's lists.
Provincial reviews aim to enrich the national resource pool, ensuring high-quality nominations.
The overarching goal is to revive these historical archives, facilitating greater public engagement with history and underscoring the significance of archival preservation.
This sixth batch highlights significant historical collections, among which five are related to the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, marking a critical period from 1931 to 1945.
The announcement coincided with International Archives Day, emphasizing the importance of preserving historical records.
Among the notable entries is the 'Hundred-Regiment Campaign Archive,' comprising 33 documents that encompass command orders, battle plans, frontline reports, and summaries from the significant military operation initiated in August 1940. This campaign involved 105 regiments and lasted over four months, during which the Eighth Route Army engaged in 1,824 military actions, resulting in substantial casualties for both the Japanese forces and their puppet government counterparts.
Documents related to the campaign hold considerable value, illustrating the strategic maneuvers of the Eighth Route Army and their post-battle analyses.
A critical document dated August 26, 1940, formally named the campaign following a series of early victories.
In addition to wartime records, the newly inscribed archives include Taoist texts from the Jin (1115-1234) and Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties, Buddhist documents from the Yuan Dynasty, imperial examination records from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and various materials from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) onwards, showcasing China's rich historical tapestry and diversity in ethnic cultures.
Formats of these documents vary widely, incorporating paper records, bronze inscriptions, stone carvings, bamboo slips, and woodblock prints, sourced from a range of institutions including archives, museums, libraries, and universities.
Since the inception of the China Archives Heritage Project in 2000, 250 archival collections have been recognized, with the aim of rescuing, preserving, and developing key historical materials.
According to authorities, the newly added items conform to UNESCO's Memory of the World program standards, which assess historical and aesthetic significance, demonstrating the cultural and community importance of the archives.
Wang Hongmin, head of UNESCO's Memory of the World program within the National Archives Administration, noted that while UNESCO's other heritage lists are more recognized, the Memory of the World Register plays a crucial role in highlighting documentary heritage that reflects Chinese civilization's contributions to global culture.
Despite China's wealth of documentary resources, the nomination process is competitive, with strict quotas on the number of entries each country can submit for the global Memory of the World Register.
To enhance global awareness of its documentary heritage, China has implemented provincial-level selection procedures to better curate its contributions to UNESCO's lists.
Provincial reviews aim to enrich the national resource pool, ensuring high-quality nominations.
The overarching goal is to revive these historical archives, facilitating greater public engagement with history and underscoring the significance of archival preservation.
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