The lawmakers have ratified a convention on protecting cultural diversity at the 25th session of the 10th Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing Friday.

 

The convention aims to protect and promote cultural diversity, increasing the abilities of developing countries in this regard through dialogue and international cooperation.

 

It also reiterates the rights of a state to take measures to protect the cultural diversity on its territory.

 

The convention, as well as the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Culture Heritage and the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, form the international law system in protecting world heritage and cultural diversity.

 

Ratification would help China protect its cultures and promote the development of a cultural industry, so reverse an imbalance in cultural trade, said Culture Minister Sun Jiazheng.

 

Gao Jianping, a research fellow from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the government should invite experts to explain the convention to the general public, brief them on the background and cases, so as to help raise awareness.

 

The convention was passed at the 33rd session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in October 2005, and will come into effect three months after 30 countries ratify it.

 

Since 35 countries had ratified the convention by December 18, it will take effect on March 18, 2007.

 

The regular NPC Standing Committee session closed in Beijing on December 29.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 30, 2006)