A Jin opera art inheritance center at Shanxi University was recently included on the master list of traditional culture inheritance facilities in universities, released by the Ministry of Education, officials said.

Traditional Jin Opera is one of the four Bangzi operas in Shanxi Province. Bangzi is a group of operas generally distinguished by their use of wooden clappers for rhythm and by a more energetic singing style.

Jin Opera was formed in the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and then spread to the surrounding areas as well as parts of Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia and Hebei.

As one of the 25 selected universities on the list, officials said that SXU is the only one from North China’s Shanxi province and the only Jin opera art inheritance base in China.

According to SXU officials, the Jin opera inheritance base aims at promoting, inheriting and innovating Jin opera art.

Through a series of courses and activities, the center provides a means for teachers and students to learn and participate in Jin opera -- and build a platform for the development of traditional opera in colleges and universities.

University officials added that through the promotion of Jin opera and research, the opera center aims to create a number of distinctive works and diverse forms.

In future, the base is expected to carry out activities to popularize the opera culture and promote exchanges with colleges and universities at all levels.

Officials said it would strengthen its cooperation with local cultural and tourism departments and engage in a wide range of other activities in order to play a key role in the future development of Jin opera.