CRI听力：Promoting the Development of China's Soft Power

After six years of construction, curtains for the new National Grand Theater in Beijing went up this week. The official Guang Ming Daily uses the launching of the new venue as a testimony of the importance of a country's soft power-- its cultural influence in this case. The venue is set to officially open by the end of this year.

It says as economic growth is progressing at a high rate, the need for a rich cultural and social life is also expanding. With swelling demands on publications, TV dramas, concerts and so on, the government has taken extensive measures to encourage more such works.

The paper says the new theatre will become the center stage for audiences to enjoy the performing arts.

China unveiled its new Five-Year Plan for Culture Development last year, granting favorable policies to the culture service, such as protecting what it calls "intangible cultural heritage" and promoting domestic films.

The paper also claims exports of made-in-China products should also cover cultural influences, and it applauds the introduction of China Culture Year overseas and the language -teaching program that it believes will strengthen the understanding of China elsewhere.