The world-class intangible cultural heritage that the General Secretary cares about: the enduring charm of Kunqu Opera

Kunqu is acclaimed as the "ancestor of all operas" and has a history of more than 600 years. In 2001, it was included in UNESCO's first Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity list. As an important traditional Chinese opera art form, Kunqu has continuously been renewed with vitality through its preservation and transmission. The article recounts Xi Jinping's experience of paying attention to the protection of Yongjia Kunqu during an inspection in Yongjia, Zhejiang. At the time, while watching a performance, he spoke with veteran actors and learned of the troupe's difficulties: a shortage of personnel and a lack of successors. He later made instructions on the relevant report, promoting the restoration of the Yongjia Kunqu Troupe's institutional status and expanding its recruitment, thereby providing support for the inheritance of local opera. In addition to preservation, Kunqu is also attracting more young audiences through innovation. Institutions such as the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre have launched a youth version of The Peony Pavilion, bringing traditional Kunqu closer to the public in a way that better suits contemporary aesthetics. The report points out that this path of "upholding the fundamentals while innovating" is precisely the important reason why Kunqu has continued to this day and kept developing.