Chinese Kunqun opera was included in the first group of protected heritages in 2001 and the art of Chinese guqin music was included in the second group of heritages.

• 中国的昆曲首次进入2001年第一批保护名录，2003年联合国发布的第二批代表作名录，中国的古琴艺术也获当选。两年一次的评选工作得到世界各国的认同和欢迎。