The Yangtze River, known as the "mother river" of the Chinese nation and a cradle of Chinese civilization, will be celebrated as a core theme during China's 2025 Cultural and Natural Heritage Day that falls on June 14, according to a press release issued by the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) on Friday.

The main events will take place in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province under the theme "revitalizing cultural relics, showcasing new splendor," officials from NCHA announced at a press conference.

"This theme aligns with the mission of cultural relic protection in the new era and highlights the core value of cultural heritage in enhancing national confidence and dialogue among civilizations," Jin Ruiguo, an official from NCHA told the Global Times on Friday.

The main event will open with an exhibition titled "Endless Yangtze: The Yangtze River and Chinese Civilization," showcasing archaeological discoveries and the river's influence in shaping China's ecological and cultural landscapes, the press release noted.

The exhibition aims to highlight the Yangtze River's pivotal role in shaping Chinese civilization, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the river's historical and cultural importance.

Officials described the mother river's evolving identity as a "cultural organism advancing with the times," sustaining both material livelihoods and spiritual traditions across millennia.

"By using the Yangtze River as a stage and related cultural relics as key characters, this exhibition will spotlight the Yangtze River's pivotal role in shaping the five distinctive features of Chinese civilization, which are consistency, originality, uniformity, inclusivity and peaceful nature," said Jin.

He added that the Yangtze River's dual role as both a physical and cultural artery - fostering exchanges from ancient trade routes to modern ecological conservation - will be emphasized through exhibitions and digital storytelling.

In addition to the exhibition, a documentary Because of Yangtze River is set to launch, offering viewers a comprehensive view of the Yangtze River's natural beauty and cultural significance.

Additional highlights include the release of the "National Treasures" commemorative coin series and new episodes of the popular archaeology series "China Archaeology Lecture Hall."

A national university moot court competition on cultural relic protection law will engage younger generations in heritage preservation efforts.

These initiatives reflect China's policy shift toward a proactive "protection first" approach to heritage management, supported by recent legal revisions and advances in conservation technology, officials said.

According to the press release, more than 7,000 online and offline activities, including 3,000 public-benefit services such as free admissions and extended museum hours, will take place nationwide under the coordination of NCHA.

In Hunan Province alone, 425 events will be held ranging from immersive artifact restoration workshops to legal knowledge competitions on heritage protection.

These activities aim to demonstrate how technology and innovative curation are "breathing new life into relics," Jin said. 

Source: Global Times