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)