The Chinese government is planning to set up about 100 cultural heritage bases at higher-learning institutions nationwide by 2020 to promote traditional Chinese culture.

Highlighting ethnic and folk music, dance, opera, sports, arts and crafts, each base will be built to offer several optional courses to students who are not majoring in arts or sports, according to a circular issued by the Ministry of Education.

The ministry encourages universities and colleges to buy services from folk artists and intangible cultural heritage inheritors or to hire them as visiting professors.

Each student will be awarded two credits for completing each course, which will require 36 hours of class contact time.

The process of porcelain painting. (Photos: VCG)

As an initial part of the plan, around 50 such bases will be chosen in universities and colleges this year.

As a nation with a long history, China enjoys a wealth of cultural heritage. Chinese culture is diverse and unique, with natural wonders and historic beauty which is an invaluable treasure to the world.

China's rapid economic growth and social progress in recent years have presented challenges and opportunities for its heritage resources.

The process of making a Chinese brush from Wengang. 

For the past few years, cultural heritage conservation in China has experienced vigorous and professional development, thanks to new technologies adopted more practice in place.

As of 2017, 52 noteworthy Chinese sites were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List: 36 in cultural heritage category, 12 of natural heritage, and four as cultural and natural heritage sites.