A local regulation to preserve Muqam, a Uygur traditional art combining songs, dances, folk and classical music, will soon come into force in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, authorities said.

The regulation, scheduled to take effect on Oct. 1, aims to protect the authenticity, integrity and tradition of Uygur Muqam, said Ma Yingsheng, director of the intangible cultural heritage section of Xinjiang's cultural department.

In 2005, Muqam was approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity."

Furthermore, Xinjiang will build a publication base and digital base in the next five years for ethnic minority languages, such as Uygur, Mongolian, and Kazak, said Shi Yongqiang, an official with Xinjiang's press and publication bureau.

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