ABSTRACT
In order to define and guide the basic values, working principles and behaviour of museum institutions and individual museum professionals, ethical guiding principles have been developed to ensure the professionalization of the museum in China. Professional ethics standards in the museum field are universal, regardless of the museum’s location, how it is managed or its specific disciplines. However, the specific political and economic environments, cultures and traditions, law systems and governance structures in different countries require that the establishment of professional ethical standards be a process of continuous development and maturity. The ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums (ICOM-CEM) in China, and its promotion, dissemination and utilization, has brought about profound and positive transformation for museums in China. Indeed, to a large extent, this basic principle of professional ethics encourages change in or transformation of Chinese museums, largely due to the increasing internationalization of Chinese society, and reflection on and reassertion of museums and their practitioners’ unique identities. Nevertheless, many problems and challenges remain.
