Thousands of Chinese children are to be trained in acting for upcoming performances of Stories in Chinese Idioms, a 1,000-episode TV drama, which seeks to further young people's understanding of Chinese traditional culture and values.

The second season alone, for example, is expected to need at least 2,000 child actors and actresses with lines, who will be involved in a great deal of singing and dancing, other than acting.

China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, a sponsor of the show, and the show's production center have jointly established training bases in nine provinces and municipalities including Beijing, Shanghai and Jiangsu province, where children will be screened and trained for different roles, according to a statement.

It has yet to be decided on which channel the show will be broadcast.

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