China to boost traditional vocal arts

BEIJING -- China will step up its support for its folk vocal arts, according to a guideline issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which was made public Monday.

The folk arts, named "Quyi" in Chinese, refer to various narrative and singing forms including ballad singing, comic dialogues, clapper talk and crosstalk, which are popular among the Chinese people.

The guideline aims to better preserve these traditional art forms and promote their development by conducting researches on the art forms, encouraging young people to engage in the performances and setting up more stages for the performers.