Dong ethnic women communicate on tapestry skills at a relocated residential area in Guyi Township in Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County of Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nov. 27, 2019. The unique traditional embroidery and tapestry of Dong ethnic group has a long history. In recent years, local authorities have been expanding market for this intangible cultural heritage so that Dong ethnic women will have more job opportunities to shake off poverty and preserve the cultural heritage. (Xinhua/Gong Pukang)

China has provided 35.71 million yuan (about 5.13 million U.S. dollars) in financial support for the establishment of 263 intangible cultural heritage workshops for boosting employment.

BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- China made solid progress in reducing poverty through the promotion of culture and tourism in poor areas in 2019, said the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

A series of programs have been implemented such as funding cultural activity facilities in poor villages and bringing traditional Chinese opera performances to the countryside to enrich villagers' lives, according to a national meeting on culture and tourism held from Friday to Saturday.

The country has provided 35.71 million yuan (about 5.13 million U.S. dollars) in financial support for the establishment of 263 intangible cultural heritage workshops for boosting employment.

The scenery at the Haokun Lake scenic area in Lingyun County of Baise City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nov. 24, 2019. Taking advantage of the natural beauty around Haokun Lake, authorities in Lingyun have been striving to develop ecological tourism in a bid to shake off poverty and boost the income of local residents. At present, ecological tourism has become a pillar industry to help people here bid farewell to poverty. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin)

Tourism plans have been made for 240 poor villages and around 3.3 billion yuan has been allocated for the construction of 329 tourism infrastructure projects in poor areas.

Nearly 6,000 people have received training to promote tourism and intangible cultural heritage in rural areas.

China has set 2020 as the target year to eradicate absolute poverty. The ministry urged more efforts in tapping the cultural and tourist resources and making new achievements in poverty reduction. ■