BEIJING - The Chinese government Wednesday announced a program to help troupes of endangered traditional theaters.

The Ministry of Culture will select 40 troupes this year and sponsor performances and training of their artists over the next five years, said a ministry statement.

The program is aimed to protect traditional drama and musical theaters which are struggling to survive the competition of modern entertainment, the ministry said.

A 1983 survey showed that China had about 370 active traditional theaters, mostly having regional influences.

The number dropped to about 280 in 2012 and 74 of them only have one professional troupe each.

In addition, audience numbers have dropped and are now largely from rural areas.

According to the ministry's research on about 2,400 troupes of traditional theaters, about 79 percent of their audience were from the countryside in 2011.

"The situation of these traditional theaters is worrying and they need immediate assistance," the ministry statement said.

The ministry did not reveal the exact amount of money to be invested in the program but said it will discuss this with the Ministry of Finance.

According to the plan, money and resources will also be spent in collecting and researching historical documents of traditional theaters as well as training actors, playwrights, directors, musicians and stage designers.