Beijing, the Chinese national capital city, will build 32 new museums over the next seven years.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is the impetus behind the construction, said Mei Ninghua, head of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics.

City specialist Wang Xinwei said museums are important for showing the culture and history of a city and many famous cities in the world have large museums with rich contents.

According to Mei, the new museums will feature contemporary life, scientific and technological progress, and Beijing's precious historical heritage, including the old style shops and houses.

While making good use of state investment, Beijing has also passed special legislation to encourage businesses and private individuals to make contributions to the new museums, Mei added.

At present Beijing has 118 museums.

(China Daily December 14, 2001)