Li Wancai, mayor of Dalian, presided over a special meeting on Dec 10 to hear a report about nonprofit museums and parks in Dalian. The decision was made during the meeting that Dalian will open nonprofit museums and parks to citizens for free next year.

The city currently has 300 nonprofit museums and parks, of which 249 have been open to the public free of charge.

Li said nonprofit museums and parks are good places for people to acquire knowledge, appreciate art, exercise, broaden understanding, and enrich themselves. Free access is beneficial to educate and cultivate the tastes of the public.

The local government will make continuous efforts to further strengthen construction of nonprofit museums and parks and provide better public products and services.

Edited by Zhao Qian and Michael Thai