The public wants more free entry to museums, says an article in Yanzhao Metropolis News. The following is an excerpt:

This year the State Administration of Cultural Heritage will consider free entry to museums. According to the principle of "classified implementation and different treatment", it will place priority on promoting more free museums as a pilot project in provinces and cities.

Museums put on display the history and culture of regions. It is an important vehicle to pass down historical knowledge from generation to generation and also a major window to showcase the development of social civilization.

However, most museums, art galleries and libraries in China from the national level to the local level still charge visitors a fee. They are only free on holidays and other special days. Although they claim their aim is not to make a profit, they actually make money out of selling tickets. The recent price hike in entrance fees has closed the doors of many museums to the public.

Therefore, as a way to implement the people-oriented concept, the promotion of the free museums will allow the public to share in the fruits of our cultural heritage and protect their rights. The public widely expects these museums to be free.

Not long ago, the free opening of a provincial museum in Hubei Province attracted numerous visitors. From this, we can see that the public like museums and an occasional free opening does not satisfy their ever-increasing cultural demands.

Such a public educational resource should not be based solely on profit. It should shoulder some obligations toward public education. Free entry to museums will be a test of the civic quality of visitors and of the wisdom of public utility managers.

(China Daily January 3, 2008)