A Brief Introduction to Xinjiang Arts and Culture
( 2005-09-13 )

Cultural exchanges between Xinjiang and overseas countries and regions as well as China'sHong KongandMacaospecial administrative regions andTaiwanProvince are increasing. Xinjiang artists are bringing gems of their music, dance, fine arts, and acrobatics to places around the world, which has expanded the scope of Xinjiang's cultural outreach, increased people's friendship, demonstrated Xinjiang's achievements in reform, opening-up, and development, and enabled the world to understand better Xinjiang and its culture. A more accessible and stunning Xinjiang is now unveiling itself before the eyes of the world.

Meanwhile, the cultural market in Xinjiang has also been growing fast, governed by improved management. With the booming of such public entertainment venues as ballrooms, karaoke bars, video game rooms, billiard parlors, Internet cafes, and audio-visual trading places, cultural authorities of all levels are seeking to "foster prosperity as well as strengthen administration."

A set of regulations has been issued, and three tiers of market watchdogs have been formed, under the authority of the provincial market-supervision team, to ensure the legal operation and administration of the cultural market, and to protect its healthy development.

Progress has also been made in the fields of archeology and museum building. According to a rough estimation, Xinjiang, with some 4,000 verified heritage sites, is one of China's eight top provinces/autonomous regions in terms of numbers of cultural relics unearthed. It now has 103 cultural heritage institutions respectively at provincial, municipal, and township levels, with 108,490 various artifacts. There are 41 places listed as key sites under State protection, 303 sites under the protection of the Autonomous Region, and 976 sites under county protection.

In recent years, a group of major cultural relics have received effective preservation and maintenance and numerous precious cultural artifacts have been excavated at the enlisted heritage sites.

In addition, exhibitions featuring Xinjiang's cultural relics have toured Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Italy and other countries in Asia and Europe, bringing the glory of the ancientSilk Roadto the world audience.