CRI听力：Tibetan Cultures Well Preserved

Lying in the Himalayan region, Tibet has cradled her sons and daughters with unique traditional cultures passed down from generations.

The central and local governments in the country have always looked after the protection of these intangible cultural heritages, which are treasured both by locals and people all over the world.

CRI Reporter Chen Xi brings you the latest dedication by the Chinese government to protect the native cultures of Tibetans.(www.hxen.net)

Reporter: What you are hearing is Ge'er song, a traditional singing of many Tibetans who live in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in China's Gansu Province.

As the only successor of this beautiful musical piece, 62-year-old Jiuxicao says she feels quite relieved that the local government has put the protection of this special form of song, passed on only orally amongst the public, on the agenda.

"The Ge'er song and many other Tibetan songs and dances are at the edge of extinction in recent years, however, thanks to the efforts of the local government, it is now well preserved."

She adds with the classrooms and teaching facilities provided by the local government, more than a dozen students are learning Ge'er song in the prefecture.

Jiuxicao says she is so encouraged by the moves of the government and her students that she will carry on her teaching of this ancient song.(www.hXen.com)

"Tourists from home and abroad are so enjoying this original arts. I will recruit more students as they love it very much and I am very confident to pass it on."

According to the local cultural preservation body, more than 70 specific categories have been separated out from Ge'er song, covering the aspects of dances, songs, musical instruments and others.

Duan Xiyi is a senior cultural official in the prefecture.

"We started the projects of preserving folk arts last year. Special funds and personnel have been allocated to collect 47 items of local intangible heritages, including Ge'er song."

Official statistics say that 330 million Yuan, or over 47 million US dollars, have been dedicated to the maintenance projects of the Potala Palace, Norbulingka and Sakia temples, three most important lamaseries in Tibetan Buddhism.

In addition, some new projects with wider preservation coverage including 22 lamaseries and cultural complex will be equipped with the investment of 81 million US dollars.