When the whole-nation system meets cultural heritage in China

China's 'whole-nation system' (juguo tizhi) has been instrumental in positioning the country as a global cultural power, but its application to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Hangzhou's West Lake Cultural Landscape, may compromise Chinese heritage discourses and overshadow grassroots perspectives. This hierarchical system, mobilized for national goals, reinforces statist narratives over cultural preservation, reflecting tensions between cultural and national nationalism. While China is transitioning towards aligning with global heritage discourse, the long-term impact of this shift on both domestic heritage preservation and the international landscape remains uncertain.

Liu, Z., & Chang, J.-a. (2023). When the whole-nation system meets cultural heritage in China. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 30(6), 714–727. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286632.2023.2249488