The first batch of eight street performers, who have obtained an authorized performing license, put on their pilot shows on the streets of Jing'an District of East China's Shanghai municipality on Oct. 28, 2014.
These artists, the first of their kind, were chosen from more than 100 applicants by the Shanghai Performance Trade Association. They can perform a wide range of art forms in their one-month pilot show, including playing a musical instrument, doing acrobatics, performing magic and making handicrafts.
They will launch pilot performances at "an appointed time and area" in Jing'an District for the following month.
Since last year Shanghai has planned to regulate street performances and give performers more legal space to present their shows, according to the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture, Radio, Film and TV.
Lu Xinyi,one of the eight street artiests, will be presenting his crystal ball show at a downtown shopping mall for a month. He no longer needs to worry about being chased away by the urban management officials or security guards any more after he obtained the license.
"If someone comes up to me, I can tell him I am certified. I am a real artist. I really enjoy performing on the street. The street is also a stage. We perform for everyone passing by," Lu told CCTV.
"The certificates may expire. It needs to be updated every month, every three months or every half year. We will check on his talent and whether his image is suitable to be on the street," said Wei Zhi, chairman of Shanghai Performance Trade Association.
Many people say they welcome the new policy.
"I have seen such artists overseas. We need fresh things, and this will inspire more places to do so," said a Shanghai resident.
"I think our city needs it. It's important to upscale the city's cultural atmosphere," said another.
Officials say they are doing more research on the policy and hope to set up a comprehensive management system for Shanghai street artists in the future.
Like many metropolises around the world, Shanghai has become home to a large number of street artists due to the city's huge population and thousands of public spaces.
However, for years, these street artists, such as singers, have been holding shows across the city, but some of them were classified by the authorities as beggars.
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