China's National Cultural Heritage Administration Issues Measures for Managing State-Owned Cultural Heritage Data

Key summary

On July 6, 2026, China's National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) issued the 'Measures for Managing Information on State-Owned Cultural Heritage Resources.' The measures define state-owned cultural heritage data as a fundamental and strategic resource, establishing standards for digital collection, technical processing, secure storage, and online transmission. Data access is categorized into three levels: public disclosure for non-commercial use, research and education, and commercial application requiring negotiation of terms and fees. On July 28, 2026, Global Times reported on these measures, citing NCHA officials who highlighted the goal of transforming cultural data from museum 'safekeeping' into an economic driver through innovation in games, dramas, and tourism.