China's understanding of museums has gone through a gradual and in-depth process, and its definition has been revised many times. In the mid-1930s, the China Museum Association believed that a museum was a cultural institution, not a storehouse for treasures, but a place for organizing educational work and discussing knowledge based on physical demonstrations.
After the founding of New China, the definition of museum was discussed and revised twice. It was not until 1979 that the Regulations on Museums of Provinces, Municipalities and Autonomous Regions adopted by the National Symposium on Museums clearly stipulated that museums are the main collection institutions, publicity and education institutions and scientific research institutions of cultural relics and specimens, and are an important part of China's socialist scientific and cultural undertakings.
Museums collect cultural relics and specimens, conduct scientific research, hold exhibitions, disseminate historical scientific and cultural knowledge, educate people on patriotism and socialism, improve the scientific and cultural level of the whole nation, and make contributions to China's socialist modernization.
The definition of ICOM 1974 in China museums is basically positive. In the long process of adapting to social development, museums have formed a multi-functional cultural complex.
With the development of society, the functions of museums are constantly changing. New functions, new forms, new methods and new collections of museums are constantly emerging.
Therefore, the internationally recognized definition of a museum is constantly being revised. In order to give museums a definition acceptable to all countries, the International Association of Museums has done a lot of work, spent a long time, and made many discussions and revisions.