Beijing has registered 140 museums, with approximately every
100,000 residents sharing one, official statistics show.
At least 40 museums have opened to public in Beijing over the
past decade, a fast growing period compared with the fact that 100
museums were established from 1949, when the People's Republic of
China was founded, to 1997, according to Shu Xiaofeng, deputy
director of Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural
Heritage.
The ratio of the number of museums against population is close
to that of the developed countries, said Shu.
Just in the first half of this year, seven new museums began to
receive visitors, bringing more opportunities for the 13 million
local population and mushrooming tourists.
Shu attributed the rapid development of museums to people's
increasing demand for cultural activities and the active role
played by more individuals, enterprises and organizations in
investment.
In the first half of this year, non-governmental investors have
established museums highlighting Chinese movies, post and stamps,
telecommunications, folk customs and China's imperial civil
examination system in Beijing.
(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2007)