Sun said the funding was part of a project to promote national artistic performances, which was organized by the MOC and the Ministry of Finance.

He said the project would encourage Chinese troupes and artists to produce and recompose good stage performances, and develop new artistic productions of great public interest. A special fund will be established to purchase good scripts and musical scores.

Sun said the project included all artistic forms, including Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera, local operas, dramas, children's plays, dance, symphony, folk music, and acrobatics.

So far, the MOC had organized a jury committee made up of Chinese experts and scholars, with Chen Xiaoguang, vice-minister of culture, as chairman. Each year, the jury committee will select and sponsor around 30 productions from those recommended by local culture administrations and troupes. Ten of the 30, after being revised and recomposed, will receive the national fund.

So far, 166 productions have been included in the shortlist this year, including 55 local operas, 17 Peking and Kunqu operas, 20 plays, nine children's plays, 10 operas, 21 dancing operas, 19 singing and dancing performances, six symphonies, two folk music concerts, and seven acrobatic and puppet shows.

(Xinhua News Agency Novembe 30, 2002)