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Science Times: Why did you put forward the viewpoint that ―The protection and
utilization of heritage should be people-oriented‖? Do you have any new reflections
now?
Su Rongyu: Man created cultural legacy. The protection of legacy is also beneficial
to man. Therefore, man is the primary concern. For one thing, when people‘s
physical and safety needs are not satisfied, it is not practical to require them to
protect cultural legacy. Only by meeting their basic needs, especially by means of
the exploitation and utilization of cultural legacy, can heritage be protected and
carried on. For another, the social attribute of man gives rise to the abandonment of
some outdated and less valuable cultural legacy. This is especially the case with
intangible cultural heritage. National languages, customs and some techniques are
being discarded. And this process is accelerated with the impact of globalization. We
are not entitled to require people to become specimen like animals in a zoo just for
the appreciation of some other people.
As is mentioned above, the protection of cultural legacy is a very costly cause that
requires continual input. Who will contribute capital? Who will decide the target and
quantity of input? Who will be committed to a continual input? These questions come
down to the issue: who we are protecting heritage for. It also involves the
complicated matter of the right of discourse.
Science Times: What are the main problems concerning the protection, management
and exploitation of heritage in China? Have you found any good solutions?
Su Rongyu: China is universally acknowledged as a country imbued with rich
heritage. Although we have made relentless efforts regarding the investigation,
study, protection and exploitation of cultural legacy, there still are some serious
problems.
Firstly, as the primary resources, the multifold and non-replaceable values of cultural
legacy have not been completely understood in China. The cause of cultural legacy
protection has not been properly undertaken under the guidance of scientific
developing strategy of social development. This also reflects the fact that the study of
cultural legacy in China is not profound and comprehensive.
Secondly, the fundamental attribute of cultural legacy is its non-renewable property.
Therefore, the protection of cultural legacy is an ―absolute mission‖. However, we
often waver between two poles, namely ―absolute protection‖ and ―total indifference‖.
Thirdly, along with the development of socialist economy and the adjustment of
industrial infrastructure, the resource attribute of cultural legacy is being tapped more
and more, which can be especially embodied in tourism. However, the policy of
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