Gulf EduXinhua | September 8, 2026 China on Monday unveiled its first national policy document for silk, tea, porcelain, and other centuries-old industries, as part of efforts to leverage the country's rich cultural heritage and build strong global brands. By 2028, the country aims to cultivate 50 enterprises with annual revenues exceeding 10 billion yuan (about 1.48 billion U.S. dollars) each. The document also calls for 100 Chinese consumer brands and several industrial clusters with annual output exceeding 100 billion yuan to be developed by 2028. By 2030, these industries are expected to produce a group of world-class enterprises and renowned brands, moving toward the mid- to high-end of the global value chain.
The policy covers traditional Chinese medicine, brewing, arts and crafts, and the 'four treasures of the study'—writing brush, ink stick, paper, and inkstone. These industries have about 25,000 enterprises above the designated size, employing nearly 3.5 million people and generating about 8 trillion yuan in annual revenue. Historically, these products traveled along ancient trade routes, carrying Chinese craftsmanship and culture globally.
AI is expected to play a key role in digitizing traditional craft knowledge, improving efficiency, and enhancing product quality. For example, AI-assisted design in silk weaving can generate thousands of patterns in minutes. The document highlights China’s deep intangible cultural heritage, including 45 UNESCO-listed elements like silk craftsmanship and acupuncture. Over 100,000 items are recognized on national, provincial, and local intangible cultural heritage lists.
China’s skilled workforce and universities are training heritage practitioners, supporting over 1.3 million people through 14,900 workshops by 2025. Traditional crafts like willow weaving in Linyi have evolved into contemporary products, reaching 80 countries. Creative products were licensed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, showcasing cultural appeal globally. The policy aims to restore time-honored crafts to high-end international markets, ensuring commercial success and cultural prominence.
Source: State Council Information Office
