BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- China's Cultural Minister Cai Wu has urged the government to manage the cultural realm with adequate space and freedom given to the commercial market.
In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Cai said, "The government should better position itself to manage whatever it should and not go beyond its duties to intervene in the commercial cultural market."
He said, "Administrative interference should be reduced when it comes to the development of various art forms and their industries."
According to Cai, various cultural administrative departments should make more effort to "free themselves from specific cultural activities" while focusing their role on the general management of cultural affairs.
Cai's remarks echoed a State Council plan released in March that urged the government to ensure the market's fundamental role in allocating resources and let social organizations play a better role in managing social issues.
In line with the plan's requirements, Cai called for simplified procedures for official approval of various cultural projects, giving more attention to follow-up supervision.
Meanwhile, Cai vowed that the government will keep on shouldering its "absolute obligations" to develop the part of the cultural sector aimed for public welfare.
Concerning China's cultural influence on the world stage, Cai called for respect for the differences and diversities of foreign cultures while seeking common ground between Chinese culture and the world.
"Traditional culture is essential in our cultural exchange with the overseas, but modern and pop arts should also be high on the agenda in cultural export efforts in order to strengthen foreign people's understanding of the current China," Cai said.