ZHAI Deyu said that the six overseas training programme listed in the plan take full consideration of the regional balance, including countries like the DPRK in Northeast Asia, Pakistan and Nepal in South Asia, Cambodia in Southeast Asia, and Tonga in the South Pacific, as well as a training of trainer workshop for Russian-speaking countries in Central Asia. The plan is rational and feasible.

A workshop on capacity building for transmission and sustainable development of traditional craftsmanship will be held in Shenzhen, China in May. CRIHAP will build a platform of regional cooperation with the Chinese office of UNESCO for scholars, experts, representatives and inheritors of intangible cultural heritage projects to discuss and exchange experiences. It will effectively enhance the capacity of intangible cultural heritage safeguarding and promote the development of this cause.

LU Pintian stressed that the revitalization and sustainable development of traditional craftsmanship involves inheritance and diversity. The Chinese government has given high priority to intangible cultural heritage safeguarding and listed it in the 13th five-year plan. CRIHAP will hold training activities in Shenzhen and share Chinese experience, which may benefit countries in Asia-Pacific Region.

XU Rong, Director General of CRIHAP, informed the Governing Board of UNESCO’s evaluation on CRIHAP in 2016 and following renewal issues.

Those at the meeting approved the Rules of Procedure of the Governing Board, clarifying its tenure. The meeting also approved the replacement of committee members for the Advisory Committee, hiring four new ones, namely, ZHANG Yafang, SU Xu, PARITTA Chalermpow Koanantakool (Thailand) and Sipiriano Dominiko Nemani RANUKU (Fiji)

Representatives also had cultural excursion to Rongbaozhai, an old-brand cultural enterprise in Beijing with a history of over 300 years, and world heritage site Pingyao ancient city in Shanxi Province.