Senior Chinese official Liu Yunshan has called for efforts to
push forward reforms of cultural system to achieve prosperity of
China's cultural undertakings and a rapid growth of cultural
businesses.
Liu, head of the publicity department of the Communist Party of
China (CPC) Central Committee, made the comments on Sunday when
participating in a group discussion with over 150 local publicity
officials and officials in press, publishing, and entertainment
sectors, who are here attending a five-day training session.
Liu ordered the officials to ensure a "smooth and orderly"
reform in the culture sector, by meeting the needs of the general
public, relying on their wisdom, and arousing their enthusiasm for
participation.
Guidelines on deepening reform of the cultural system, jointly
issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council in
January, require general art troupes, publishing houses, newspapers
and magazines on culture, art, life and popular science,
bookstores, movie studios, theaters, TV play producers, cultural
intermediary organizations to gradually restructure into market
businesses.
Only a few very important cultural units will continue to enjoy
state support, according to the document.
Liu ordered local publicity officials to study the document well
and carry out reforms accordingly.
(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2006)