Subsequently, cities such as Guangzhou, Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai and Nanjing either invited experts from Anhui Province to foster "Flower-drum Lantern" dancers or sent students to the province to learn it. From then on, the dance became popular across China and later developed into a song and dance drama. The "Flower-drum Lantern" dance became a repertoire for many professional performing groups, and the Anhui Art Academy and Beijing Dance Academy listed the dance as part of their folk dance programme.

At present, the "Flower-drum Lantern" has developed into a stage art suitable for different subjects and able to portray various kinds of human figures. Its music and dance is widely assimilated into dramas and other arts; it has even spread to some Asian and European countries.

 Protective efforts

At a national conference on protecting China's traditional culture held in April 2004, the unique "Flower-drum Lantern" dance of Anhui Province, along with 28 other items, was included in the second phase of the National Folk Culture Protection Project.

After the conference, the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Finance in China issued the following notice: "It is an important obligation of governments at different levels to protect the folk cultural heritage," requiring local financial departments to include the clause in their financial budget. The notice also called on local authorities to set up related institutions to take charge of the protective measures.

It is reported that the Ministry of Finance has earmarked a special fund of 6 million yuan (US$723,000) for the preparatory work and research of the National Folk Culture Protection Project.