Beijing's bureau of cultural relics said in a report yesterday
that it would be embarking on an extensive museum construction
drive from this year.
According to the report, certain developments, including the
construction of the world-class Beijing Museum and China National
Film Museum, made 2005 a milestone year for the development of museums
in the Chinese capital.
The Memorial Hall of the Chinese People's War of Resistance
Against Japanese Aggression was also expanded to commemorate the 60th
anniversary of the war. The Palace Museum, celebrating its 80th
anniversary, added two exhibition halls to its premises.
Authorities have also approved the building of more museums in
Beijing, the bureau said.
In the near future, the All-China Women's Federation will build
the China Women and Children's Museum, while the Ministry of Public
Security will build the China Police Museum, according to the
report.
The previous construction drive took place in the 1950s with the
building of the Museum of the Chinese Revolution and the Museum of
Chinese History, predecessors of today's National Museum of
China.
Beijing had 129 registered museums by 2005, topping the country
in terms of quantity, quality and density.
(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2006)