China's central government has pledged to preserve and develop the country's various traditional opera styles by strengthening the education system. The system covers both school training in traditional opera and training arrangements with professional troupes, according to a guideline jointly issued at the end of May by the publicity department of the Communist Party of China and the ministries of culture, education and finance.

It called for more resources in training practitioners of local operas and experiments in new educational patterns.

Publicity, culture and education authorities at various levels should take major responsibility in the initiative, give more support and welcome donations from social organizations, said the guideline.

There are hundreds of forms of local Chinese opera, of which Peking Opera is the most famous.

Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera are listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as intangible cultural heritage.

Xinhua