Cultural spotlight shines
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2004-09-15 09:21

The city will boast 150 museums and nine state-of-the-art theaters by 2010 when World Expo is held, officials announced yesterday at a working conference on Shanghai's cultural development.

More cinemas, libraries and sculptures are also on the development blueprint, they said.

By the end of last year, there were 35 public libraries, 64 museums and 60 cinemas in the city.

According to the plan, the number of digital cinemas will increase from eight to 100 while at least 100 sculptures will be erected citywide.

In addition, districts with a population of more than 500,000 will have one library no smaller than 5,000 square meters as well as a 3,000-square-meter library. Some 200 community cultural and entertainment centers will also be built by 2010.

The municipal government has allocated 20 billion yuan (US$2.41 billion) to revive cultural facilities and art events from 2001 through 2005.

Deputy Party Secretary Yin Yicui stressed the importance of preserving historic buildings and areas with cultural significance.

The old warehouses along Suzhou Creek will be converted to either industrial museums or fashionable artist enclaves.

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