The Ministry of Culture is drawing up regulations to improve its cultural agent system, especially for agents who handle local art troupes.

Notice of its intention to set up rules requiring agents to hold business certificates was issued by the ministry at a recent national conference on grassroots cultural work.

During the 20 years since China adopted its policy of economic reform, its cultural market has prospered.

Statistics from the ministry show -- up to the year 2000 -- entertainment groups, film publication and distribution, and performance and art handicraft exhibitions total 225,000, with a combined employment of 952,400 people, which produced 13 billion yuan (US$1.56 billion) in added value.

Experts predict the cultural industry will boom in the coming five years.

However, at present, the cultural agent system is said to be limiting market growth.

With China's entry into the World Trade Organization, its cultural industry faces increasing opportunities and challenges. Training professional managerial personnel has become crucial.

According to Zhang Jianxin, deputy director of the Market Department under the ministry, an administrative scheme for cultural agents is under discussion. The scheme will set the relevant guiding principles, conditions, examining procedures and supervision.

China's institutions of higher education have already started training professional cultural agents, with the first started last year at the China Opera Institute.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2002)