BEIJING - China will boost the preservation of its cultural relics by improving registration, overhauling initiatives and changing laws to better regulate the cultural relic market during the 2011-2015 period, according to a government document issued Wednesday.

Issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, the Outline for the 12th Five-Year Program (2011-2015) on Cultural Reform and Development calls for improved protection for China's cultural relics.

The country will introduce a qualification system for cultural relic appraisers, as well as step up efforts to regulate antique collectors, the outline said.

Vowing greater efforts to protect intangible cultural heritage (ICH), the outline said authorities will create a plan detailing the distribution of ICH items across the country and formulate classified protection plans.

The outline said more efforts will be made to explore ways to preserve and pass down cultural heritage.