China's acupuncture and moxibustion of traditional Chinese medicine along with Peking opera were both inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the ongoing 5th session of the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage meeting in Nairobi.

The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which already has 166 elements from 77 countries, will be enriched by new elements.

On this occasion, the committee will examine 47 nominations from 29 states. In order to be inscribed, the elements must comply with a series of criteria, including contributing to spreading the knowledge of intangible cultural heritage and promoting awareness of its importance.

Nominees for the inscription must also justify protective measures taken to ensure their viability.

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNCESO) conference kicked off in Nairobi on Monday with delegates calling for more efforts to safeguard the intangible heritage.

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2010)