LHASA, March 1 (Xinhua) -- China has spent 300 million yuan (44.8 million U. S. dollars) protecting the intangible cultural heritage of Tibet over the past 13 years, local authorities said Friday.

According to the regional people's art museum, from 2006 to 2018, the central government spent 195 million yuan, while the regional government spent over 80 million yuan in the protection of intangible cultural heritage. City, prefecture and county governments also invested in the cause.

The region stepped up its efforts in protecting Tibetan opera and the King Gesar epic, which were included on UNESCO's intangible heritage of humanity list. Over 15 million yuan was invested in the two heritage programs.

Thanks to governmental support, those working in intangible cultural heritage are enjoying better living and working conditions.

In 2016, annual subsidies for those engaged in intangible heritage at a national level inheritors were increased from 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan per person, and subsidies for those at the regional level were increased from 5,000 yuan to 10,000 yuan per person.

Tibet boasts a rich store of ethnic and folk culture. It currently has 89 representative national and 460 regional intangible cultural heritage programs.