Ministers meet the media: Highlights (6)

The role of museums as cultural heritage institutions tasked with securing and preserving cultural relics cannot be weakened: Liu Yuzhu

Liu Yuzhu, director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration and a national political adviser. [Photo/Xinhua]

The role of museums as cultural heritage institutions tasked with securing and preserving cultural relics cannot be weakened, said Liu Yuzhu, director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration and a national political adviser on Sunday.

He stressed that Chinese museums, especially those built on ruins or around ancient architecture, should stay the course.

Liu described Chinese museums as currently enduring "growing pains", adding that the country's museums are tackling capacity limitations amid booming demand.

He pointed out that museums should maintain a level of elegance and not devolve into vulgar market fairs and commonplace entertainment venues so as to elevate the cultural IQ of the general public.