Cover News:

In recent years, major archaeological discoveries such as those at the Sanxingdui Ruins site, the mausoleum of Emperor Wendi of the Western Han Dynasty, and the Piluo Paleolithic site have attracted much attention. What measures have been taken to facilitate archaeological research, preserve and sustain Chinese civilization, and bolster confidence in our own culture? What achievements have been made in this regard? Thank you.

Rao Quan:

Your questions are about a current hot topic. Let's invite Mr. Jin Ruiguo from the NCHA to answer the questions.

Jin Ruiguo:

Thank you for the questions. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made important expositions and instructions on archaeological work on various occasions. He emphasized that great importance should be attached to archaeological work to deepen historical research on Chinese civilization and that the CPC and Chinese society as a whole should enhance historical consciousness, bolster confidence in the Chinese culture, work hard to build a modern socialist country in all respects, and realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Over the past decade, under the guidance of the decisions and plans made by the central authorities, we have achieved fruitful outcomes in projects that explore the origin of Chinese civilization and archaeology in China, carried out more than 8,800 archaeological excavation programs, made major archaeological discoveries at the Liangzhu relic site, the Taosi relics site, the Shimao ruins, the Erlitou relics site, the Yinxu site, and the Sanxingdui Ruins site, steadily promoted frontier and underwater archaeology, witnessed the rapid development of scientific archaeology, public archaeology, and archaeology involving foreign parties, and obtained evidence for millions of years of human history, 10,000 years of cultural history, and more than 5,000 years of civilization history. All these have provided a rich historical and cultural source of strength for social development.

Going forward, we will continue to implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions and instructions on archaeological work, explore the unknown, reveal the origins, strive to develop archaeology with Chinese characteristics, style, and values, and better understand the time-honored and profound Chinese civilization.

The first is deepening archaeological research. We will continue to push forward projects that explore the origin of Chinese civilization and archaeology in China, promote academic research on the origins of mankind, agriculture, and civilization as well as the formation and development of a unified multi-ethnic state, and showcase the origins, historical context, and splendid achievements of Chinese civilization, as well as its major contributions to human civilization.

The second is strengthening scientific and technological support. We will promote the joint research of archaeology and history, humanities and natural sciences, strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration, accelerate the establishment of key national laboratories in the field of cultural relics, and build a national science and technology innovation center for cultural heritage. We will implement a national plan to cultivate archaeological talent and promote the development of world-class archaeological institutions.

The third is improving interpretation and publicity. We will make full use of new media, new technologies, and new means to strengthen the research and interpretation of cultural relics, historic sites and ruins, organize activities to publicize the outcomes of the project that explores archaeology in China, and jointly produce and broadcast TV programs such as "Exploring Ancient China" with relevant media outlets to showcase the long history and great creations of Chinese civilization, and educate and guide officials and the public, especially young people, to better understand and identify with Chinese civilization, and become more proud, confident, and assured in their identity as Chinese people. Thank you.

Xing Huina:

Today's press conference is now concluded. Thank you to Mr. Rao and all the other speakers. Thank you to friends from the media. Goodbye.

Translated and edited by Wang Qian, Xu Xiaoxuan, Guo Yiming, Yang Xi, Liu Jianing, Huang Shan, Zhang Rui, Ma Yujia, Yuan Fang, Yan Bin, Xu Kailin, Zhang Liying, Liu Qiang, Liu Sitong, Li Huiru, David Ball, Jay Birbeck, and Tom Arnstein. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.