ACUPUNCTURE and moxibustion used in traditional Chinese medicine along with Beijing opera had been added to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. The UNESCO Intergovernment Committee to Safeguard Intangible Cultural Heritage at a meeting Tuesday in Nairobi, Kenya, decided to include the two on the list.

    The list was established to preserve the diversity and creativity of humanity that was being rapidly lost in the wake of industrialization and globalization.

    The Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, which already has 166 elements from 77 countries, would be enriched by the new elements.

    On this occasion, the committee examined 47 nominations from 29 states. In order to be added to the list, the elements must comply with a series of criteria, including contributing to spreading the knowledge of intangible cultural heritage and promoting awareness of its importance.

    Nominees for the list must also justify protective measures taken to ensure their viability.

    The UNESCO conference began in Nairobi on Monday with delegates calling for greater efforts to safeguard intangible heritage.

    (Xinhua)