Artiste license divides opinion in entertainment

The requirement of a license for artistes to perform professionally will help improve standards and cool down public enthusiasm for beauty contests, said a senior cultural official on Thursday.

According to Friday's Chinese-language Guangming Daily, Liu Changquan, director of the Ministry of Culture's Cultural and Artistic Talent Center, said a regulation published by his ministry on Wednesday for certifying cultural professionals would "maximize the selection of qualified talents to join our team of cultural workers".

His comments were also published on the ministry's website on Friday. The ministry's regulation has been criticized by artistes, lawyers and scholars. They claim it closes the door to budding new talents.