Beijing's museums will step up their efforts this year to follow international practice in operation and management while maintaining China's unique cultural heritage in the face of globalization.

"The important role museums play in protecting cultural variety should be further upgraded," Zhang Wenbin, director of the State Bureau of Cultural Relics, said yesterday in a letter to officials attending China's first forum on museums and globalization.

There are now 118 registered museums in Beijing, but only a third of them turn a small profit, said Liu Chaoying, director of the museum department under the Beijing municipal bureau of cultural relics.

"Gaining experience abroad to establish foundations is a good way to collect much-needed money for the capital's museums," Liu said.

Museums in China are still prohibited from acquiring financial support from foundations.

Li Ji, vice-president of the Museum of Chinese History, also recommended establishing a sales system with exhibitions to shorten the gap between Chinese museums and their more advanced counterparts in the world.

Liu also called for preferential taxation policies for museums since it costs so much to protect and keep the historical and cultural items on display. He said museum standards are also necessary for equipment, personnel organizations and services.

To achieve wider popularization among residents, various activities will be held today until May 18, which is International Museum Day.

(China Daily April 26, 2002)