National history records and objects, as crucial pieces of physical evidence and historical memories reflective of the untiring efforts and, as a result, great achievements of the Chinese nation since the 20th century, play an indispensable role in the country’s narrative system. In the past, large amounts of national historical records and objects were not effectively protected in time because they, as important historical evidence, were not given dueattention; , cultural heritage authorities did notmake adequate action in good coordination; ,nor was there sufficient financial support. With the country’s economic and social development entering a new age and facing new situations, new historical tasks and a new direction of development, the inadequacy of collections in this regard has seriously hampered the progress of many projects, especially exhibitions on such important subjects as the 70th anniversary of the founding of new China and the centennial of the Party.
As the towering national collecting institution that treasures national collective memories and preserves the fine genes of culture on behalf of the country, the NMC shoulders special tasks and play unique roles in, among other things, salvaging and collecting national history records and objects, promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional culture of China, carrying forward the revolutionary culture and the socialist advanced culture, boosting interaction between Chinese and foreign civilizations and mutual learning from one another, strengthening cultural confidence and building a socialist cultural power.
To this end, with strong policy support at the national level, the NMC has adjusted its development strategy and launched the “National History Records & Objects Salvation Project” with a view to collecting from the whole society, in a planned manner and on a selective basis, as many representative items of evidence reflective of the age as possible to be preserved as valuable memories, educate later generations and inspire the future.