CHONGQING (CQNEWS) Chongqing Hotpot Association has started the process of applying to become part of national cultural heritage on January 23., 2014.

Chongqing hotpot has been greatly improved and the industry has been further developed since it was listed in Chongqing municipal abstract cultural heritage in 2009.

Li Dejian, president of Chongqing Hotpot Association, said that there are 20,000 and more hotpot restaurants with over 1 million employees in Chongqing and 50,000 chain shops throughout China, about two thirds of the country.

Li said that if the application is approved, its traditional methods can be inherited and the industry will be further strengthened.

They will apply for human abstract cultural heritage of UNESCO after this. The association will hold a ceremony at Chaotianmen on March 23., 2014. At the ceremony, they will make a fire using the sun and store it for relay in Chongqing even in China with the aim of enhancing the effect of Chongqing hotpot. (Translated by Li Li, Fathom Language Limited)