An exhibition of achievements in protecting Chinese intangible cultural heritage has greeted more than 100,000 visitors since it opened in Beijing on Feb. 12.

Tens of thousands of visitors came every day (over 50 thousand visitors on last weekend), said a source with the National Museum of China, where the exhibition is being held, according to the municipal source.

"Many visitors have left words and signed their names to express their support for the protection of Chinese intangible cultural heritage," the source said.

Wang Canchi, an advisor for the Beijing municipal government said after visiting the show he is proud of the richness of the Chinese intangible cultural heritage and has felt a grave responsibility for saving and protecting it.

"My advice is to enact relevant laws or regulations and set up special research institutes to protect these national treasures," he was quoted as saying.

Students of many universities and schools regarded their visits as the first class of the new term.

"It's my second visit. The folk customs showed here are helpful to my study and creativity," an unidentified student of the China Central Academy of Fine Arts said.

A teacher of the kindergarten who guided 160 children in the exhibition hall on Monday, said the exhibition is instructive to children's enlightenment, which will last till March 16.

"Although they don't know much about 'intangible cultural heritage,' they now know a lot of folk customs. Many of them, for instance, have learned Uygur dance, so they have shown much interest in the Uygur costumes," Li said.

Senior CPC official Li Changchun also called for doing a good job in protecting the heritage during his visit on 13.

"The protection of intangible cultural heritage and maintaining the continuity of the national culture constitute an essential cultural base for enhancing cohesion in the nation," Li said, who is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

(Xinhua News Agency February 23, 2006)