China will open its public cultural establishments free of charge for minors, sources with the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH) said Tuesday.

Vice-Minister of Culture Zhou Heping said in a press release that from May 1 this year, the cultural establishments nationwide,such as museums and art galleries, are required to offer free admission to youths under 18 in groups or accompanied by parents, and half price for unaccompanied minors.

Zhou said other groups such as soldiers in active service, senior citizens and the handicapped should also be allowed to visit public cultural establishments free of charge or with preferential prices.

Zhou said free or preferential opening of the cultural facilities is conducive for improving the management and service of the facilities, so as to promote the development of China's culture.

On how to make up the losses brought by free opening, Zhou said the cultural units at all levels should strive for assistance from the financial departments and establish funds to compensate for the free charging.

Zhang Bai, deputy director of the SACH, said all cultural heritage departments should attach importance to the protection work and give priority to guaranteeing the security of the cultural relics, facing the possible situation of more visitors' swarming.

The museums in China's Zhejiang and Wuhan provinces and such cities as Beijing and Shanghai have already issued various measures for free admission for minors or students.

(Xinhua News  Agency  March 24, 2004)