China's rapid urbanization is raising concerns that some of the country's ethnic cultural heritage will disappear as time goes by.

On the sidelines of this year's annual session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference,  a CPPCC member has encouraged public awareness of  cultural heritage protection.(CCTV.com)

On the sidelines of this year's annual session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a CPPCC member has encouraged public awareness of cultural heritage protection.

Feng Jicai, CPPCC Member, said, "Many foreigners come to China to purchase things like traditional costume, painting and so on from ethnic minority groups. There is still a lack of legislation on such purchases and cultural relics are going overseas So China's ethnic minorities are gradually losing the artistic symbols that represent the survival of their culture."

China's Ministry of Culture has invested a total of over two-hundred million yuan over the last five years to safeguard the country's traditional culture.

And the authorities have also appointed eight-hundred artists as heirs of intangible cultural heritage that faces the threat of extinction.

(CCTV March 14, 2008)