Twelve well-known Chinese writers turned in their newest creation in Beijing on Wednesday: play scripts based on primary and middle school textbooks, which will be further processed into cartoon plays by six domestic cartoon companies and gradually put on show for youngsters nationwide.

"It is an innovative move to further develop cultural products for 367 million people in China aged under 18," said Wang Ying, general manager of Children's Art and Play Theater Co. Ltd., and chief organizer of the activity.

Wang said the 12 Chinese writers will produce children's plays on the basis of 20 articles selected from 1,000 primary and middle school textbook articles. The plays will cover a wide range of subjects including ancient poems, fairy tales and foreign novels.

Wang noted that a nationwide competition for children's plays based on textbooks will be held simultaneously, and an official website has been launched, namely www.kebenju.com.

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2005)