Chinese residents are expected to enjoy more sporting and
entertainment facilities in the near future following the launch of
a new national regulation.
Taking effect on August 1, the Guidelines on Public Cultural and
Sports Equipment Management -- released at the weekend by the State
Council, China's cabinet -- requires governments at all levels to
earmark funds from annual budgets to build and upgrade local
sporting and cultural entertainment facilities.
Public sporting and cultural entertainment buildings including
gymnasiums, stadiums, young people's activity centers, workers'
cultural halls, libraries and museums should be open to
everybody.
The central government will also earmark an allowance to build more
sporting and cultural entertainment facilities.
Enterprises and organizations are encouraged to build public
sporting and cultural facilities and organize public sporting and
cultural events.
The government will spend more on building sporting and cultural
entertainment facilities in poorer western regions, remote and
poverty-stricken areas and the countryside for the benefit of the
needy.
Managers of the sporting and cultural entertainment facilities can
charge users but should provide favorable fares for the disabled,
elderly and students, the regulation said.
Due to Beijing's successful Olympic Games bid, all aspects of
Chinese sporting undertakings are becoming highly developed, said
Xiong Xiaozheng, a researcher with the Sports Museum of China.
In
the wake of China's rapid economic development, most Chinese people
have realized a greatly improved living standard.
In
the meantime, to improve their physical health, people are focusing
on sport and making it an indispensable part of their lives, Xiong
said.
(China Daily July 14, 2003))