China begins soliciting public opinions on draft law for promoting cultural industry

BEIJING - The Ministry of Justice on Dec 13 began soliciting public opinions on a draft law aiming to promote the country's cultural industry.

According to an introduction to the draft law, legislation is needed to help tackle the challenges facing China's emerging cultural industry in terms of supply, structure and enterprise development, among others.

The draft states that the country encourages and supports the production of quality cultural works such as those dedicated to promoting core socialist values and Chinese culture, the innovation of cultural expressions and the protection of the lawful interests of practitioners in cultural sectors.

The draft stipulates that the country shall establish a financial service system for the industry and improve relevant mechanisms under which the development of the cultural industry is backed by financial support. Preferential tax policies shall be put in place to boost the growth of the industry.

With regard to the development of the cultural market, the draft makes it clear that the country will establish a credit system and form an incentive and punishment mechanism in a bid to maintain market order.