Attention should be paid to the protection and development of diversified ethnic culture in developing the western regions, said a senior official in charge of ethnic affairs.
Li Jinyou, vice minister of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, said governments at various levels should carefully handle the relationship between economic progress and the protection and development of ethnic cultures.
Li said that more laws and regulations should be enacted to facilitate protection measures and new approaches and measures should be explored.
Li also said that over the last decade governments at various levels have allocated special funds to build and renovate a number of cultural facilities, such as libraries, museums, culture institutions and cinemas in areas where ethnic minorities live.
(Xinhua 11/16/2000)
