Kunqu Opera, one of the oldest genre of opera in the world, will be protected by regulations in Suzhou, where the delicate art form originated more than 500 years ago.

The regulations will be the first of its kind made by a local government aiming to preserve a special genre of intangible cultural heritage in China. A draft regulations is awaiting approval by the city's legislature and is expected to be enacted by the end of this year.

To retain the originality of the century-old opera, Suzhou's regulations will both protect the performing art of Kunqu, the arrangement of stage, Kunqu's unique singing skills, and objects relating to the performance of Kunqu Opera, including costumes, musical instruments, props, important literature and localities.

The regulations also define the city government's responsibility to promote Kunqu Opera in schools and universities, so as to cultivate a young generation of Kunqu audiences.

Basic knowledge about the opera will be taught in elementary and secondary schools, while art schools and universities will open classes for young Kunqu fans.

In addition, the government is obliged to develop a favorable environment for Kunqu's revival by setting up special funds, arranging performances, and hosting cultural exchanges activities for the opera.

Dubbed as "the mother of 100 operas", Kunqu is known for its superb artistry. It is performed in the local dialect of Kunshan in eastern China and was especially favored by feudal nobles in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

However, the opera has been in decline in the 20th century upheaval, when China was jolted by the Japanese invasion and domestic war. During the cultural revolution, Kunqu was regarded one of the symbols of feudalism and barred from stages.

In 2001, Kunqu opera was listed a "masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The Chinese government initiated a program to rescue and rejuvenate Kunqu Opera in 2005, planning to allocate 10 million yuan (1.25 U.S. dollars) a year to eight major Kunqu Opera troupes in China from 2005 to 2009.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2006)