(File photo/Chinanews.com)

BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Monday it spent 1.55 billion yuan (about 228.3 million U.S. dollars) to support "red tourism" in 2016.

The funds were mainly used to promote themed tours to historical sites which educate tourists on the history of the Communist Party of China, and on renovation of such sites, according to a ministry statement.

The MOF said it will continue to fund "red tourism", to help bring more people at some underdeveloped sites out of poverty.

In another statement, the MOF said it has allocated 5.1 billion yuan to support free services at public facilities such as museums and libraries.