CHINA'S performing arts market will further open to foreign investment, with newly revised regulations that make remarkable changes to be launched this September, according to the Office of Legislative Affairs under the State Council.

According to Wang Yongqing, an official with the office, the new regulations would allow foreign investment to establish brokerage agencies and take part in the management of performances, performance companies and venues.

The newly revised regulations would allow some forms of foreign investment. "Foreign investors can build Sino-foreign cooperative enterprises and Sino-foreign joint ventures for brokerage or theaters with Chinese partners, but foreign investment is still banned from establishing performing troupes," according to the new regulation.

In terms of ownership, the new regulations would stipulate that the Chinese partner's investment ratio should not be lower than 51 percent in any joint venture and that Chinese should take the leading role in all companies.

The new regulations would give self-employed actors the right to host commercial performances independently, and would allow theater owners to stage commercial performance independently.

In the former regulations on commercial theatrical performances issued in 1997, foreign funds were only allowed to reconstruct or establish new commercial performing facilities, and foreign investors were not allowed to participate in operation and management.

Editor: Wing