HANGZHOU -- China has put the development of museums on the agenda of its Tenth Five-Year Plan, announced Zhang Wenbin, director-general of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage Tuesday.

He said his administration is now preparing to build a national museum, which is due to open in the next Five-Year Plan period ( 2006-2010).

Museums play a vital role in displaying and collecting the achievements of culture created by the people, he said at the meeting, adding that a national museum represents the history and civilization of a country.

Zhang urged museums at all levels to enlarge the exhibition items and display them in an appealing manner in order to attract more visitors. "We should make museums the second classroom for students and life school for adults," he said.

A set of regulations related to museums is now being framed. He expects the new rules will be able to help manage museums effectively.

Zhang pledged to improve the facilities in big state-owned general museums. Meanwhile, specialized museums and private museums will be encouraged.

He asked state-owned museums to work out a better operation system and find more financial input to improve their conditions.