China regulates planning of cultural, tourism projects

BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) has issued a regulation on the planning of cultural and tourism projects by relevant departments and local administrations.

Relevant departments and administrations should fully demonstrate the necessity of planning cultural and tourism projects, and formulate blueprints that include timeframe for the planning and construction, personnel and budget, according to the regulation.

Projects planned by the MCT should be approved by the minister and relevant officials. National projects that need the approval of the State Council should be handled by the policy and law department of the MCT and other related departments, the regulation reads.

The regulation asks project planners to consider land use, urban and rural layout and environmental protection in planning a project, and solicit opinions from the public, experts and relevant institutions.