Minnan Eco-Cultural Preservation Area

The Minnan Eco-Cultural Preservation Area (闽南文化生态保护区) is a national-level cultural and ecological preservation zone approved by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in December 2019. It is located in Quanzhou (泉州市), Zhangzhou (漳州市), and Xiamen (厦门市) in Fujian Province. These cities are the birthplace, core, and typical representatives of Minnan culture. The area is also considered the ancestral homeland and spiritual home of the Minnan people worldwide. The scope of the Minnan Eco-Cultural Preservation Area overlaps with the administrative zones of these three cities and is dedicated to the holistic protection of the region’s intangible cultural heritage, as well as the associated tangible cultural and natural heritage.

General Information

Overview

Minnan culture, which formed in the late Five Dynasties and early Song Dynasty, reached its peak in the late Northern Song and Southern Song Dynasties. From the Ming and Qing Dynasties to the early Republic of China, Minnan culture spread to Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and surrounding regions, during which it developed numerous creative and innovative aspects. This culture is characterized by both conservatism and openness, forming cultural traits such as attachment to home and homeland, ethnic identity, respect for tradition while embracing innovation, and a pragmatic approach to success.

The Minnan Eco-Cultural Preservation Area aims to protect the core of Minnan culture, particularly its intangible cultural heritage, and also safeguards tangible cultural heritage that serves as vital carriers for the transmission of intangible culture. Additionally, the protection of the natural and cultural environments necessary for the survival and transmission of these cultural heritages is integral to the preservation efforts.

Historical Development

• In June 2007, the former Ministry of Culture approved the establishment of the first National-Level Cultural Eco-Protection Experimental Area, which was the Minnan Cultural Eco-Protection Experimental Area.

• In December 2019, the Minnan Eco-Cultural Preservation Area was selected as one of the first batch of National-Level Cultural Eco-Protection Areas.

Historical Background

The Minnan Eco-Cultural Preservation Area focuses on holistic protection, particularly for intangible cultural heritage, adapting to its evolving and dynamic nature. With the rapid development of globalization, industrialization, urbanization, and marketization, Minnan culture, like Chinese culture as a whole, faces significant threats to its survival. Protecting the Minnan culture eco-system is crucial for maintaining a favorable environment for its survival and transmission. Establishing the Minnan Eco-Cultural Preservation Area will promote ecological civilization and social harmony, enhance cultural awareness, strengthen ethnic cohesion, and support the development and prosperity of China’s diverse cultural heritage.

Key Protected Elements

The Minnan Eco-Cultural Preservation Area primarily focuses on protecting intangible cultural heritage such as folk literature, traditional music, traditional visual arts, traditional dance, traditional operas, quyi (folk art), acrobats and sports, traditional craftsmanship, traditional medicine, and folk customs. It also protects tangible cultural heritage directly linked to the transmission of intangible cultural heritage and preserves the specific natural and cultural environments where these cultural heritages are preserved and passed on.

Current Protection Status

According to the “Overall Planning for the Minnan Culture Eco-Cultural Preservation Area” drafted by Fujian Province, the protection area is being implemented in three phases:

• Short-Term (2011-2015)

• Medium-Term (2016-2020)

• Long-Term (2021-2025)

Since the establishment of the Minnan Cultural Eco-Protection Experimental Area, Fujian Province has been pioneering innovative practices and building platforms for cultural eco-protection. This includes enhancing infrastructure for intangible cultural heritage transmission and display, deepening surveys and documentation of intangible cultural heritage, strengthening digital protection, and establishing cultural exchange platforms with Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and the international community. There has also been significant progress in community-based promotion and activities that bring intangible heritage into communities and schools.

As of November 2021, the Minnan Eco-Cultural Preservation Area had established an evaluation, identification, and management mechanism for intangible cultural heritage projects and representative inheritors. A total of 5 items are listed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list; there are 60 national-level projects, 80 inheritors; 200 provincial-level projects, 295 inheritors; and 375 municipal-level projects, with 889 inheritors. The area has completed the cataloging of 185,209 intangible heritage clues, surveyed 32,841 projects, and compiled 268 volumes of materials.

Protection Efforts and Facilities

The Minnan Eco-Cultural Preservation Area has established numerous demonstration sites that integrate cultural heritage protection with urban planning and tourism development. Notable protected areas include:

• Quanzhou Licheng Old District, Zhangzhou Nanjing Yunshuiyao, Xiamen Gulangyu, and Xiamen Jimei Xuecun.

• Cultural heritage infrastructure, such as the China Minnan-Taiwan Museum, Xiamen Cultural Arts Center, and Zhangzhou Ancient City Heritage Exhibition Hall.

Additionally, 458 intangible heritage learning centers have been established in the experimental area, surpassing the planned goal of 300. The provincial government has allocated 20 million yuan annually since 2015 for cultural heritage preservation, with further funding for public performances and the promotion of local heritage.

The Minnan Eco-Cultural Preservation Area represents a comprehensive effort to protect the rich cultural and ecological heritage of Southern Fujian. By safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, enhancing community engagement, and fostering cultural tourism, the preservation area aims to maintain Minnan culture’s vitality and ensure its transmission to future generations. The region’s development serves as a model for integrating cultural preservation with sustainable development, promoting both environmental protection and social harmony.