A revised version of the Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics took effect on Saturday, marking a significant step in China's efforts to strengthen the rule of law in the protection of its rich cultural heritage.
Since its implementation in November 1982, the law has undergone one revision and five amendments.
The latest version consists of eight chapters and 101 clauses.
For the first time, it clarifies the definition, scope, and objects of protection, as well as the subjects, standards and procedures for identifying cultural relics, as stipulated by the State Council.
It also places a stronger emphasis on government responsibility and enhances protection measures, addressing gaps in legal stipulations in these areas.
"For example, regarding the relationship between cultural relics preservation, socio-economic development and tourism project development, this revision introduces important rules, such as requiring investigations before construction and archaeological prospecting before transferring land," said Liang Ying, director of Administrative Law Department with Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
The revised law has highlighted core issues, such as the protection, inheritance and utilization of cultural relics, providing a more solid legal foundation for the high-quality development of cultural relics.
China strengthens cultural relic protection with revised legal framework
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will extend the two-week ceasefire with Iran that was set to expire on Wednesday night (midnight GMT Tuesday).
"Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The U.S. president said he will "extend the ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other."
The U.S. military will continue the blockade against Iran and "remain ready and able," according to Trump.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X Tuesday that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports is "an act of war and thus a violation of the ceasefire" and attacking Iranian merchant ships and detaining their crew members were even more serious violations.
"Iran knows how to neutralize restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying," Araghchi wrote in his post.
Mehdi Mohammadi, an advisor to Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also said the U.S. blockade must be met with a military response, dismissing Trump's ceasefire extension announcement as "meaningless".
"Extending the ceasefire by Trump has no meaning. The losing side cannot dictate terms. Continuing the blockade is no different from bombing and must be met with a military response. Moreover, any extension of the ceasefire by Trump is certainly a way to buy time for a surprise attack. Now is the time for Iran to take the initiative," Mohammadi posted on X.
Trump extends ceasefire; Iran vows military response to naval blockade
