Many foreign troupes are eager to win the first performance contract at the National Grand Theater in Beijing, which is nearing completion, but an official organ taking charge of the theater has to be set up first of all, Chinese experts said.

"A proper management mechanism for the theater is still under deliberation," said Wu Zuqiang, a musical educator and member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

With an investment totaling 2.69 billion yuan and covering a construction area of 200,000 square meters, the theater is the biggest cultural project during China's Tenth Five-Year Plan period (2001-2005).

Wu has submitted a proposal to the ongoing annual session of the CPPCC National Committee, calling on the central authorities to decide on the theater's management and operation as early as possible.

According to the experience of western countries, the operation expenditure of a national theater is supported by state finance, complemented by box office income and relevant business returns. "But such a system still hasn't been approved by relevant departments," said Wu.

Li Guyi, another member of the CPPCC National Committee, said the National Grand Theater should reflect China's artistic standard and conform with the expectations of audience across the nation. The theater should be placed under the direct management of the country's highest cultural authorities.

(Xinhua News Agency March 10, 2006)