Who is the most influential goddess of the sea in China? What is the unique art perfectly combining carving and Chinese calligraphy that has been popular for more than 3,000 years? What sort of music is shared by such different ethnic groups as Han, Hui, Tibetan, Dongxiang, Baonan, Salar, Tu and Yugur throughout the three provinces and autonomous regions of Gansu, Qinghai and Ningxia in northwest China?

The answers can be found in the 22 Chinese elements recently added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which was compiled by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

As a multiethnic country with a rich culture, China is uniquely endowed with intangible cultural heritage. However, when the country first submitted an application to UNESCO in 2001, many Chinese did not even know what intangible cultural heritage was. Their understanding of the concept has grown deeper with the inclusion of more Chinese intangible cultural heritage items on the UNESCO list.

The task of preserving intangible cultural heritage has reached a peak in China. For example, the first national census of intangible cultural heritage items is almost complete; a system for nominating and recognizing intangible cultural heritage at the state, provincial, city and county levels has basically been formed; the Ministry of Culture has named 1,488 representative heirs; and more than 900 themed museums, folk art museums and research institutes have been established.

But with rapid modernization and urbanization and the shock from foreign cultures, many ethnic and folk cultural heritage items face grave threats. In addition to the 26 Chinese elements inscribed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list (including four items already approved before 2009), China has more than 1,000 nominees lined up for application. Since the application process can raise public awareness of the importance of protecting intangible cultural heritage, the success of China's applications is an important first step in preserving that heritage for future generations.