Northwest China's Shaanxi Province will invest 800 million yuan (US$96.4 million) to carry out eight projects on cultural facilities in the next five years.

According to local cultural officials, the eight projects are: A computerized information system for the provincial library, reconstruction on Shaanxi Art Museum, construction of a major concert hall, expansion of People's Theater in Xi'an, construction of an opera theater, a movie theater, the establishment of a folk art museum and construction on a acrobat training center.

At the same time, the investment will be used to set up or rebuild nearly 100 libraries, culture centers and cinemas in counties and townships across the province.

Upon completion, the facilities will give local people not only modern libraries, cinemas and concert halls, but also a living and working environment more conducive to artistic creation, the officials said.

(Xinhua 04/17/2001)