Calligraphy, painting and traditional handicraft are to be introduced onto the curriculum in China's elementary schools as part of a government drive to educate young people about the country's culture.

Museums and art galleries will also be free of charge or offer discounts to youngsters.

"On the international stage, China not only needs strength in economy, science, technology and defense, but also cultural strength to be ahead of international competition," states the national program on cultural development during the 11th Five-Year Plan period (2006-2010) published yesterday.

The General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, which jointly issued the program, also issued a circular ordering all localities and departments to carry out the program.

According to the program, the government will increase investment in cultural projects, reform the way cultural entities operate, expand the quantity and quality of cultural products and services to meet rising demand, and increase the global competitiveness of Chinese cultural products.

The program also says the storage space of museums shall be expanded by 300,000 square meters.

It asks state-owned art performance troupes and theaters to hold performances at lower rates for low-income residents and calls on urban organizations and residents to donate televisions, radios, computers, books and audio and video products to farmers.

It calls for online libraries, online theaters and a system to provide distance learning of cultural activities.

It orders the enhancement of intellectual property rights protection to curb piracy.

It says that cultural exchanges with the rest of the world must be boosted to improve understanding of China overseas.

In addition to promoting mutual visits and exchanges between sister cities and holding cultural activities abroad, it proposes the promotion of Chinese cultural products and services through famous overseas film festivals, television festivals, art festivals, book fairs and expositions.

It calls for adjusting the style of radio and television programs to meet the demands and tastes of overseas listeners and audience.

According to the Five-Year Plan, China will launch high-definition terrestrial digital TV broadcasts in 2008.

China aims to replace the existing analog cable television with digital cable television in all the cities in its eastern and central regions and most of those in the western area by 2010.

China will adopt a terrestrial digital TV broadcast standard, the mandatory broadcast signal for Chinese broadcasters on August 1, next year.

Editor: Yan