China's Education Ministry has issued a guideline requiring general college students to obtain mandatory art credits before graduation, People's Daily reported earlier this week.

Universities should set up or designate management institutions for popularizing art education and incorporate art courses and practices in their teaching program, the guideline said.

It encouraged universities to approve cross-school registration for public art courses and recognition of credits earned at peer institutions.

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In addition, higher education institutions should be equipped with qualified art teachers and promote the innovative development of traditional Chinese culture, according to the document.

It also called for efforts to improve art education's integration into the national and regional development strategy.