Films and TV series shot in ancient palaces and temples are becoming increasingly popular in China these days, and some commercial performances have used them as outdoor theatres. But Beijing's draft regulation on the implementation of the national law on the protection of cultural relics will make it more difficult for filmmakers to shoot at such sites. Mei Ninghua, director of the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage, explained on July 27 that steps must be taken to protect the city's valuable cultural relics.

According to State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH) regulations, permission to shoot second- and third-class museum collections for publications, audio and video products must be requested from the provincial, regional or municipal cultural relics administration that has authority over the site. Filming of first-class museum collections must then be endorsed by the SACH as well.

Those who wish to film or stage events at historical sites must provide a security guarantee and get approval from the administrative office of the site before embarking on the round of government office approvals. In general, only exterior shots will be given the nod. Except under special circumstances, indoor shooting at such sites is forbidden.

The SACH may take up to 20 days, after receiving all necessary documentation, to make a determination.

At present, a 100-part televised documentary, featuring the Forbidden City, is being shot for the 80th anniversary of the Palace Museum to be marked in 2005. Both the Ministry of Culture and the SACH have approved the project.

"To tell the truth, shooting is not encouraged here," said a Palace Museum official.

Sites such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall or the Temple of Heaven could conceivably rake in a fortune in fees for such events. But such opportunities are given little consideration.

According to an official with the Mountain Resort in Chengde, "Our primary job is to give good protection to these cultural relics, not to make money out of them."

(China.org.cn July 30, 2004)