On June 11, we celebrated China's traditional "Duanwu" (Dragon Boat) Festival which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar.

Many of us may still remember the public uneasiness aroused by a media report a year ago about South Korea including its same-named festival on a national heritage list and planning to apply to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for a position on the World Cultural Heritage list and as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity". Many thought that the Duanwu Festival belonged to China and should not be listed as another country's heritage.

This year, another piece of news - that South Korean folklorists hoped for a joint application with China - has again led people to argue about whether China should "share" the Duanwu Festival with South Korea.

In my opinion, to share or not to share, that is not a question. Unlike natural heritage sites, which are fixed and unique, the oral and intangible heritage of humanity can be shared. For example, mukamu is a typical music of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Northwest China, but still UNESCO has approved Iraq mukamu and Azerbaijan mukamu as part of those nations' intangible cultural properties. "Masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity" refer to the culture of humankind and examine it from a global perspective. In this sense, they are shared by the whole of mankind.

As a matter of fact, China and South Korea have been sharing the Duanwu Festival for over 1,000 years. In this sense, it is no longer important whether we choose to "share" or not. The most critical issue for us now is how to revitalize our traditional festivals and traditional culture.

As we know, many traditional Chinese festivals are losing their sheen as foreign festivals are coming in and taking over. In fact, not only traditional festivals but also much of our traditional culture is now largely ignored at home or has even disappeared so completely that it is in danger of losing its substance.

The dilemma concerning our traditions and festivals has much to do with the theory that traditional Chinese culture (including festivals) is the main subjective obstacle to China's modernization drive.

Actually, the relationship between tradition and modernity is not a zero-sum game in which one gains at the expense of the other, but a relationship in which both can gain, as is well illustrated by the example of South Korea.

Therefore, while we "share" the Duanwu Festival heritage with South Korea, we can also learn from the South Koreans. Their experience can provide us with useful insights and the inspiration to maintain a balanced, dynamic relationship between tradition and modernity.