Original Title: Notice of the General Office of the People’s Government of Shanxi Province on Issuing Several Measures to Support the High-Quality Development of Cultural Heritage Work in the New Era

To study and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, as well as General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches and instructions on cultural heritage work; to earnestly implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council regarding strengthening the protection and utilization of cultural heritage; to fully implement the requirements of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government for building a culturally strong province; to consciously shoulder the political responsibility of a province rich in cultural heritage; to leverage the guiding role of fiscal policies and ensure adequate funding; to focus on key areas and critical links in the protection and utilization of cultural heritage; and to comprehensively strengthen protection, inheritance, and utilization through key projects,and to provide multi-channel, high-level, and comprehensive support for the high-quality development of the cultural heritage sector, the following measures are hereby formulated.

I. Support for Archaeological Excavations. Each year, no less than 10 million yuan in special funds will be allocated to support archaeological excavations for the infrastructure construction of provincial-level key projects. Projects selected for the “Top Ten New Archaeological Discoveries in China” will be granted a one-time subsidy of up to 10 million yuan for follow-up conservation projects related to the archaeological excavations.Accelerate the process of applying for World Heritage status for sites such as the Tea Road and the Historical Sites of Guan Sheng. Projects successfully designated as World Cultural Heritage sites will receive a one-time subsidy of up to 30 million yuan, to be used for cultural heritage protection, utilization, research, and interpretation projects at the heritage sites.Support archaeological excavations and research at major sites such as Taosi, the Ancient City of Jinyang, Puzhen Ferry, and the Ancient City of Puzhou. Accelerate the construction of National Archaeological Site Parks; those approved as National Archaeological Site Parks will receive a one-time subsidy of up to 20 million yuan for on-site protection and restoration of ancient relics, digital preservation, and the purchase of archaeological equipment. (Responsibility lies with the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and relevant municipal governments according to their respective duties)

II. Support for Archaeological Research. Support research on early human behavior centered on key Paleolithic sites such as Xihoudu in Ruicheng, Kuohe, Dingcun in Xiangfen, and Shizitan in Ji County.Focusing on key sites such as Taosi in Xiangfen, Bicun in Xingxian, Dongxiafeng in Xiaxian, Xiwubi in Jiangxian, Shangguo in Wenxi, Beibai’e in Yuanqu, Zhoujiazhuang in Jiangxian, and Zhongcun in Xiyang, implement the “Tracing the Origins of Chinese Civilization” Shanxi Initiative to advance archaeological research projects on the Xia and Shang civilizations in Shanxi, Jin culture, the evolution of civilizations in the Central Plains region, and the process of the “unity in diversity” of Chinese civilization.Support research projects on ethnic integration centered on grotto temples, ancient tombs, and ancient murals. For projects that secure national-level major grants or achieve significant national-level results, a one-time subsidy of up to 5 million yuan will be provided for cultural relics research and development. (Responsibility lies with the Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and the Yungang Research Institute according to their respective duties)

III. Support the Development of World-Class Archaeological Disciplines and Institutions. Support Shanxi University and the Shanxi Institute of Archaeology in building world-class disciplines and key archaeological institutions. Universities whose disciplines are selected for the national “Double First-Class” initiative will receive an annual subsidy of 20 million yuan. Institutions approved for an Ministry of Education science and technology innovation platform will receive a one-time subsidy of 3 million yuan, while those approved for other national ministry-level science and technology innovation platforms will receive a one-time subsidy of 1 million yuan.Newly established professional doctoral degree programs will receive a one-time subsidy of 2 million yuan. The establishment of key archaeological institutions will be eligible for a one-time subsidy of up to 20 million yuan for facility and equipment procurement projects. Strong support will be provided to the National Center for Xia-Shang Civilization Archaeological Research in Southern Shanxi, as well as archaeological bases in Northern, Central, Southeastern, and Southern Shanxi, and archaeological specimen repositories in key areas such as Houma and Quwo; upon completion, these projects will be eligible for a one-time subsidy of up to 20 million yuan for facility and equipment procurement.Support for overseas archaeological projects will be provided on a case-by-case basis. (Responsibility lies with the Provincial Taiwan Affairs Office, the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Provincial Department of Education, the Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and relevant municipal governments in accordance with their respective duties.)

IV. Deepen emergency and preventive conservation of ancient architecture and colored sculptures and murals. Implement the “Building China” Shanxi Plan, allocating 10 million yuan in special funds annually to complete 5–10 conservation projects for early wooden structures and colored sculptures and murals from the Yuan Dynasty and earlier periods, with the goal of fully eliminating safety hazards and producing research outcomes within five years.Allocate no less than 30 million yuan in special funds annually to advance, on an annual basis, major conservation projects for 39 national-level cultural relics, including Foguang Temple, the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, and the Pingyao Ancient City. Allocate 10 million yuan in special funds annually to strive to eliminate all safety hazards at the sixth batch of provincial-level protected sites within five years. Allocate no less than 10 million yuan annually to support the routine maintenance of national and provincial-level protected ancient buildings.(Responsibility lies with the Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and relevant municipal governments in accordance with their respective duties)

V. Continuously Strengthen the Protection of Lower-Level Cultural Relics. Each year, no less than 50 million yuan from national and provincial heritage protection funds will be allocated for the protection of lower-level cultural relics.In accordance with the “Shanxi Province Plan for the Protection of Lower-Level Cultural Relics (2025–2035),” clarify the annual work tasks for cities and counties, urge them to fulfill their responsibilities for funding cultural relics protection at their respective levels, and coordinate funds from higher-level and local fiscal budgets, government general bonds, and social donations to strengthen the protection of lower-level cultural relics. By 2035, all lower-level cultural relics in the province will be fully repaired as needed, and their protection status will be comprehensively improved.Municipalities that complete their annual tasks will be granted a one-time project subsidy of up to 10 million yuan, based on their project pipeline. (Responsibility lies with the Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and relevant municipal governments in accordance with their respective duties)

VI. Promote the Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites and the Improvement of Their Surrounding Environments.We will seek to secure national special funds for cultural heritage protection and central budgetary funds for the Cultural Heritage Protection, Inheritance, and Utilization Project. Eligible projects will be included in the scope of special bond support. We will continue to implement construction projects for the physical structures and surrounding facilities of 39 national treasure-level cultural heritage sites, 27 “Journey to the West” check-in locations, and key sections of the Yellow River, Great Wall, and Taihang Mountain. We will accelerate the construction of the Great Wall and Yellow River National Cultural Parks, support the development of regional “viral” tourist attractions centered on cultural heritage, and expedite the integration of culture and tourism.Support cities and counties in vigorously carrying out environmental improvements around cultural heritage sites; upon project completion, a certain percentage of funding subsidies may be provided based on investment levels, with a maximum subsidy of 10 million yuan per project. Encourage cities and counties to improve support mechanisms, support the opening of restored cultural heritage sites to the public, and enhance the level of revitalization and utilization. (The Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and relevant municipal governments shall be responsible in accordance with their respective duties)

VII. Systematically carry out both individual and cluster-based protection. Accelerate the formulation of master plans for the protection and utilization of revolutionary cultural relics in the Shanxi-Hebei-Henan, Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei, and Shanxi-Suiyuan regions. Approve projects in accordance with regulations by tier and zone, allocate no less than 30 million yuan in special funds annually, and advance the integrated protection, coordinated display, and phased utilization of revolutionary cultural relics.Include eligible cultural heritage protection and utilization projects in revolutionary base areas within the scope of rural revitalization demonstration zones and other initiatives, and seek support from special funds such as the central government’s special lottery public welfare funds for rural revitalization projects in underdeveloped revolutionary base areas. Strengthen the restoration and protection of privately owned cultural heritage; provide a certain proportion of financial subsidies for cultural heritage sites that have been returned to state ownership by cities and counties through property swaps or buybacks. (Responsibility lies with the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Provincial Department of Finance, Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and relevant municipal governments in accordance with their respective duties)

VIII. Implement the Museum and Memorial Hall Development Plan. Accelerate the construction of landmark thematic museums with distinctive Shanxi characteristics, such as those focusing on ancient architecture, the Yellow River, the Great Wall, murals, traditional opera, and Xiyin. Support Taiyuan, Datong, Jinzhong, Linfen, and Jincheng in building “Cities of Museums.” Institutions that establish world-class museums with Chinese characteristics or outstanding museums will be granted one-time subsidies for cultural heritage protection projects of up to 10 million yuan and 5 million yuan, respectively.Museums newly rated as Grade 1, 2, or 3 will be granted one-time subsidies for exhibition enhancement projects of up to 1 million yuan, 500,000 yuan, and 300,000 yuan, respectively. (Responsibility lies with the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Provincial Department of Education, Provincial Department of Finance, Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and relevant municipal governments in accordance with their respective duties)

IX. Enhancing the Exhibition Standards of Museums and Memorial Halls. Support will be provided for various state-owned museums and memorial halls to conduct partial exhibition renovations every five years and comprehensive exhibition renovations every ten years. Each year, five state-owned museums and memorial halls will be selected to undergo comprehensive exhibition renovations, with one-time project subsidies of up to 5 million yuan, 2 million yuan, and 1 million yuan for Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 institutions, respectively.Each year, support will be provided for five original exhibitions that substantiate the origins of Chinese civilization, showcase the historical development of China, highlight the spiritual lineage of the Chinese Communist Party, and bear witness to the social development and transformation of China, with a maximum one-time subsidy of 1 million yuan. Exhibitions designated as key or general recommended projects under the theme of “Promoting Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture and Cultivating Core Socialist Values” will receive maximum one-time subsidies of 1 million yuan and 500,000 yuan, respectively.Projects awarded the National Top Ten Museum Exhibition Excellence Award will receive a one-time grant of up to 300,000 yuan. Major exhibition installation projects will be supported on a case-by-case basis. All of the above grant funds are to be used for projects aimed at further enhancing exhibitions. Support for overseas exhibitions of Shanxi cultural relics by state-owned museums and memorial halls will be provided on a case-by-case basis. (The Provincial Taiwan Affairs Office, Provincial Department of Finance, Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, and Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics shall be responsible in accordance with their respective duties.)

X. Support for Free Admission and the Purchase of Facilities and Equipment. State-owned museums, memorial halls, and patriotic education bases that are included in the national free admission subsidy program and receive excellent performance evaluations will be granted a one-time project subsidy of up to 3 million yuan, to be used for exhibition upgrades, cultural relics conservation facilities and equipment, and improvements to storage environment conditions. Municipal and county governments are encouraged to formulate measures providing fiscal support for the free admission of state-owned museums and memorial halls at their respective levels, as well as for the purchase of equipment for the conservation of museum collections and related service facilities.(Responsibility lies with the Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and municipal and county governments in accordance with their respective duties)

XI. Promoting Technological Innovation in Cultural Heritage Conservation. Incorporate technological innovation in cultural heritage conservation into provincial science and technology planning projects, with a focus on supporting scientific research and technological breakthroughs in this field, and comprehensively advancing technological progress across all areas of cultural heritage conservation—including prevention, preservation, research, management, and utilization.Support the construction of key laboratories (bases) for cultural heritage conservation. For provincial laboratories approved by the provincial government and formally established, the provincial government will provide 10 million yuan annually in operational and management funds during the three-year construction period, while the construction unit must provide matching funds of no less than a 1:1 ratio. Newly established provincial key laboratories will receive guiding support. Recipients of the Shanxi Provincial Science and Technology Award will be granted awards and subsidies in accordance with regulations.Accelerate the development of cultural heritage research institutions and ensure that eligible cultural heritage professionals benefit from science and technology innovation support policies. (Responsibility lies with the Provincial Department of Science and Technology, the Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and municipal and county governments according to their respective duties)

XII. Accelerate the digital preservation and utilization of cultural relics. Allocate no less than 50 million yuan in special funds annually to support 20–30 cultural relics digital preservation and innovation demonstration projects. Allocate special funds to continuously advance the construction of the Shanxi Cultural Relics Resource Big Data Platform and the Shanxi Database of Cultural Relics Lost Overseas. Support the development of the Shanxi Digital Museum of Cultural Relics and smart museums; effectively establish and utilize the “Internet Plus Cultural Relics Education” platform; and promote the broader public benefit of cultural relics digital preservation achievements.(Responsibility lies with the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Bureau of Government Information, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and the Provincial Bureau of Data, in accordance with their respective duties)

XIII. Establish a System of Symbols of Chinese Civilization in Shanxi. Relying on World Cultural Heritage sites, significant cultural heritage buildings and ruins, and major archaeological sites, we will gradually establish a system of symbols of Chinese civilization in Shanxi. We will support the development and publication of a list of cultural landmarks and tangible symbols with local characteristics. Each year, 5 million yuan in special funds will be allocated to conduct in-depth interpretation of the value of cultural relics, explore their cultural connotations, and distill cultural themes, thereby forming a system of tangible symbols of Chinese culture in our province characterized by a multi-point layout and multi-dimensional display.(Responsibility lies with the Provincial Department of Finance and the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics in accordance with their respective duties)

XIV. Support the Construction of Cultural Heritage Protection and Utilization Demonstration Zones. Focusing on the construction of the Jincheng Ancient Residential Buildings National Cultural Heritage Protection and Utilization Demonstration Zone and 21 other provincial-level key zones such as the Yanhu District, we will encourage cities and counties to introduce supportive policies and measures. Efforts will concentrate on the protection, utilization, and transmission of cultural heritage, establishing a comprehensive protection system and strengthening the protection and management of areas with a high concentration of lower-grade immovable cultural heritage, thereby achieving high-quality development in cultural heritage protection and utilization. Units approved as National Cultural Heritage Protection and Utilization Demonstration Zones will receive a one-time project subsidy of 10 million yuan, to be used for cultural heritage protection and utilization as well as environmental improvement within the protected areas.(The Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and municipal and county governments shall be responsible in accordance with their respective duties)

XV. Leverage the Participation of Social Forces. Fully utilize the guiding and catalytic role of the Shanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Fund to prioritize support for public awareness and outreach activities, the protection of state-owned cultural heritage at the sub-provincial level and below, international exchange and cooperation, and theoretical research. Encourage cities and counties to establish and improve mechanisms for social participation in cultural heritage protection. Continue to deepen the “Civilization Watch Project” to guide social forces in participating in the protection and utilization of cultural heritage, thereby forming a new framework for cultural heritage funding characterized by government leadership and broad social participation.(Responsibility lies with the Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and municipal and county governments in accordance with their respective duties)

XVI. Incentivizing the Development of Cultural and Creative Products and the Revitalization of Cultural Heritage Resources. Strengthen the application of intellectual property protection in the cultural heritage sector. Operating income, business revenue, and other income generated by cultural heritage institutions from the development of cultural and creative products shall be used to enhance public cultural services, acquire new collections, and continue investing in the development of cultural and creative products; internal distribution shall prioritize personnel who have made outstanding contributions.Improve the incentive mechanism for the distribution of revenue from cultural and creative product development at cultural heritage institutions, promote the linking of the determination of total performance-based wages at these institutions to their performance in developing cultural and creative products, and reasonably determine the total amount of performance-based wages. (Responsibility lies with the Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security, and the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, in accordance with their respective duties)

XVII. Strengthen the supervision and management of cultural relic safety. Allocate no less than 10 million yuan annually in special funds to continuously conduct routine patrols and inspections of national and provincial-level protected sites. Accelerate the promulgation of the “Safety Standards for Cultural Relic Protection Units in Shanxi Province” and implement safety standardization on an annual basis, striving to ensure that all national and provincial-level protected sites meet the standards within five years. Allocate no less than 10 million yuan annually in special funds to support cultural relic departments in hiring cultural relic protection officers to guard national and provincial-level protected sites that have not established dedicated management agencies.All localities must continue to increase funding for cultural heritage safety, fulfill their primary responsibilities for cultural heritage safety, accelerate the construction of cultural heritage safety supervision platforms, and achieve a province-wide “single network” for cultural heritage safety supervision within five years. In the event of emergencies involving cultural heritage sites or artifacts, funds reserved at the beginning of the year or contingency funds must be immediately utilized for response to ensure the safety of cultural heritage. (Responsibility lies with the Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Market Regulation Bureau, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and municipal and county governments in accordance with their respective duties)

XVIII. Strengthen the Foundational Work of Cultural Heritage Protection. Ensure adequate funding to high-quality completion of the Fourth National Cultural Heritage Census, support the selection and recommendation of the ninth batch of National Key Cultural Heritage Protection Units, and ensure that the total number of national-level protected sites continues to lead the nation. Allocate special funds to strive for the completion of protection plans for all national and provincial-level protected sites within five years.Accelerate the drafting of the “Shanxi Provincial Special Plan for the Protection and Utilization of Cultural Heritage (2023–2035),” promote the full integration of spatial vector data for cultural heritage sites at all levels into the corresponding “single map” of territorial spatial planning, and ensure that cultural heritage sites at all levels fully achieve the “Four Haves.” (Responsibility lies with the Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Heritage, and municipal and county governments in accordance with their respective duties)

XIX. Build a High-Quality Workforce of Cultural Heritage Professionals. Strengthen the development of talent in cultural heritage protection and archaeology. Enhance collaboration with universities and research institutions, and, in conjunction with major projects and key disciplines, prioritize the cultivation of a group of leading talents, young elites, research backbone, and professionals in cultural heritage protection and archaeology. Support the training of well-rounded cultural heritage professionals by including tuition, textbook fees, accommodation costs, internship expenses, and living allowances for such students in the annual fiscal budget.Strengthen continuing education and encourage cultural heritage professionals to pursue degree (academic) programs. Strengthen the development of a high-skilled workforce in the cultural heritage sector to cultivate more “master craftsmen” in the field. Allocate special funds to support the organization of provincial vocational skills competitions in the cultural heritage industry, using competitions as training to select a group of high-skilled leading talents. Relying on enterprises such as the Shanxi Cultural Heritage and Museum Industry Group, flexibly recruit high-level talent through part-time, remunerated positions.(Responsibility lies with the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department, Provincial Department of Education, Provincial Department of Finance, Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security, Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and Provincial Federation of Trade Unions, in accordance with their respective duties)

XX. Intensify efforts to attract cultural heritage talent. Continuously deepen provincial-university cooperation and attract professionals in the cultural heritage field to work in Shanxi through platforms such as “Beautiful Scenery in Shanxi,” “Internship in Shanxi,” and “Study Tour in Shanxi.” Provide each doctoral graduate who remains in or comes to Shanxi with a one-time living allowance of 100,000 yuan and a research grant of 50,000 yuan.Support cultural relics protection and archaeological institutions in publicly recruiting high-level and highly skilled talent in accordance with national and provincial open recruitment policies and procedures; award winners of national first- and second-class vocational skills competitions a one-time subsidy of up to 80,000 yuan and 30,000 yuan, respectively. Award winners of the WorldSkills Competition a one-time subsidy of up to 500,000 yuan. (Responsibility lies with the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department, the Provincial Department of Finance, the Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, and municipal and county governments according to their respective duties)

All relevant units at all levels across the province shall fully implement the Central Committee’s requirements regarding prioritizing protection, strengthening management, unlocking value, ensuring effective utilization, and bringing cultural relics to life, and shall earnestly fulfill their responsibilities for cultural relics protection.Cultural heritage authorities at all levels and project implementing units are responsible for organizing and carrying out project applications. They must strictly use funds for their designated purposes, standardize government procurement activities, and ensure effective daily supervision and performance evaluation. The Provincial Bureau of Cultural Heritage must earnestly fulfill its duties as the Office of the Provincial Leading Group for Cultural Heritage Protection and Utilization, strengthening supervision, inspection, and professional guidance. Financial departments at all levels must include the funds required for cultural heritage protection in their respective budgets and ensure adequate funding in accordance with fiscal responsibilities and expenditure obligations.The Provincial Department of Finance shall increase transfer payments for cultural heritage protection to counties (cities, districts) with weak fiscal capacities, strive to secure support from the central government, steadily increase provincial funding, actively expand funding channels, and provide robust support for cultural heritage protection efforts. All relevant units shall further enhance their initiative, strengthen cultural heritage protection and utilization in the new era, promote the high-quality development of the cultural heritage sector, and ensure that the achievements of cultural heritage protection contribute more to economic and social development and enrich the lives of the people.

These measures shall take effect on August 1, 2025, and remain valid for five years. Based on the results of an evaluation conducted prior to the expiration of the policy, a decision will be made regarding whether to extend the measures and, if so, for how long.