Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili on Monday called on local
governmental officials to improve culture-related work in the next
five years.
In a written address, she urged provincial and municipal
directors of cultural departments to improve cultural services for
the general public, especially rural farmers, during the state's
11th five-year plan period (2006-2010).
Chen said China has conducted cultural heritage preservation
well, strengthened the management of cultural product markets and
improved the public cultural service system in the last five
years.
The international cultural exchanges and communication have also
been increased, She acknowledged.
In her address, Chen underscored the importance of cultural
development in rural areas, noting that local governments should
increase financial inputs to rural cultural work in accordance with
the state's decision of building a new socialist countryside.
She also inspired officials and culture-related practitioners to
create more good cultural products and pay more attention to
grass-roots cultural work.
Chen urged the enhancement of the protection and preservation of
cultural heritage and relics, which will further introduce Chinese
culture to the world.
Chen gave her address to a meeting held in Beijing Monday in
which provincial, municipal and other central officials of cultural
departments discussed cultural issues.
(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2006)