A senior cultural official in Beijing says Peking Opera could become the next Chinese cultural legacy after Kunqu Opera to be listed on the World Intangible Heritage. 
 
The Capital Museum in Beijing is to set up an exhibition hall of folk arts and culture that will display objects along with many intangible elements of Beijing's cultural heritage.

Mei Ninghua, director of Beijing Municipal Cultural Relics Bureau says the museum's efforts to protect intangible elements of the capital's past are extremely important, but warn more efforts still need to be taken.

Intangible Chinese culture like Kunqu Opera has been recognized as an important part of Beijing's Intangible Heritage by foreign observers.

Other elements unique to the capital like Peking Opera, Tian Qiao Stunts and Temple Affairs can also apply for World Intangible Heritage status.

 (CRI.com May 14, 2004)