CRI听力: Applying for world heritage listing helps little in revival of traditions

According to a survey by China's leading portal website Sina.com, some 95% of netizens surveyed say they support the application.

But a commentary in the Beijing News argues the application is not the key to promoting the festival's traditions.

The article says heritage is something that may be endangered and people should pay respect to it. But the application is just an "image project" that wastes both time and money.(www.hXen.com)

It says vibrant festivals and traditions needn't apply to be included on heritage lists, citing examples such as Christmas and Valentine's Day.

The article also argues it's a deviation or even desecration of tradition for people to commercialize historical and cultural traditions.

In conclusion, the article says people should reconsider how to rebuild and revive these traditions.

It notes the Dragon Boat Festival commemorates patriot poet Qu Yuan, who lived some 2,300 years ago.

So it's more important to promote and carry forward the patriotism of Qu Yuan than just applying to be included on a heritage list.