China to launch second national survey of movable cultural relics

The National Cultural Heritage Administration of China has announced plans to launch the second national survey of movable cultural relics during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030). This initiative aims to strengthen museum management, improve the documentation of state-owned collections, and enhance the classification of cultural relics.

Deng Chao, deputy head of the administration, stated that the agency will also implement a restoration program for valuable museum items and advance revisions to museum regulations to standardize operations. These measures follow recent scrutiny regarding collection management at institutions such as the Nanjing Museum.

Looking ahead, the administration intends to focus on three strategic areas: improving management standards through professional ethics and public oversight, optimizing the national museum layout to prevent redundant construction, and enhancing service quality. A specific “Small and Medium-sized Museum Improvement Plan” will be launched to provide resources and support to smaller institutions, ensuring high-quality exhibitions reach grassroots levels across the country.