【英文阅报】Chopsticks apply to be a intangible cultural heritage

Chopsticks , or Kuanzi , have enjoyed more than 3,000 years of history in China and have deeply influenced Chinese life in terms of etiquette , cuisine and living philosophy . The culture of chopsticks is going to apply to become a Shanghai intangible cultural heritage this year , according to the Shanghai Chopsticks Culture Promotion Association .

" Chopsticks , a unique tool for meals and a special invention by the Chinese , have been threatened with losing their historical and cultural luster because of long-time oblivion in the heritage protection field ," said Xu Hualong , head of the association .

He cited Japan as a comparison . " They value the culture of chopsticks so much that they not only have special study organizations for it but also have made every Aug 4 the Chopsticks Festival ."

" There is a lot to be done in protecting and promoting this culture ," he added .

Chopsticks are so frequently used in Chinese daily life that they have become more than a kind of tableware and have fostered a set of etiquette and customs of their own , according to Lan Xiang , curator of Shanghai Chopsticks Museum .

" Chopsticks appeared more than 3,000 years ago . Due to their lightness and convenience , chopsticks were introduced to our neighboring countries , such as Korea , Japan , and Vietnam , more than 1,000 years ago . At least 1,800 million people use chopsticks nowadays ," said Cai Fengming , deputy secretary general of East Asian Studies Center of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences .

" Their culture is so prominent in east Asia that some scholars even refer to the East Asia Sphere as the chopsticks cultural sphere . To look at their influences from a new perspective may provide an inno vative angle for understanding ourselves ," Cai said .

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