BEIJING - The Ministry of Finance (MOF) will use fiscal policies to improve China's cultural attractions, it announced Tuesday.

The ministry said it will increase fiscal expenditure on museums, cinemas, music companies, publishing houses and other cultural institutions, and ensure that public spending on the sector grows faster than fiscal income growth. Lottery revenues will also be used for the investment drive.

The move is aimed at spreading the country's traditional socialist culture, according to the MOF.

The ministry said that support policies will be targeted, with a focus on reforming the nation's cultural institutions to make them more competitive.

China's top leadership has recently attached greater importance to improving the country's cultural soft power after decades of economic growth. In the sixth plenary session of the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China last month, the nation's decision-makers focused on cultural issues. It was the first time in 15 years that the plenary sessions have put the spotlight on culture.

A statement issued after the session said, as a major form of support for Chinese unity and creativity, the culture industry will from now on play a more critical part in China's economic and social development.