Official races to save heritage sites from bulldozer
0 
 |
|
A stone carving on a door arch at the Dongyue Temple in Beijing. |
With frenzied realty development devouring historic buildings virtually every day in China, the nation faces a race against time to preserve its cultural and archaeological sites.
Shan Jixiang is the man leading that charge. As director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, he has probably rescued more ancient relics from bulldozers than anyone else.
By the end of last month, Shan's agency had registered almost 900,000 immovable relics, designated 110 national historic and cultural cities, and helped put 38 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
"You can never place too many heritage sites under protection. The world and our descendants deserve to be able to enjoy these relics. I only wish we could protect more," he said. "As I speak, 47,000 protection workers are scouring the country for cultural treasures."
Cultural heritage protection is receiving unprecedented attention in China. Funds allocated for heritage protection have soared from 250 million yuan ($37 million) in 2002 - when Shan took over - to 4.9 billion last year, while legislation was also introduced to aid efforts.
"But despite the help we still face unprecedented challenges," said Shan.
In addition to threats from environmental pollution and the smuggling of relics, the sweeping scale of urbanization means the country has entered into a crucial period for conserving culture, he told China Daily.
Shan, an urban planner turned national political advisor, frequently travels across the country with his trusty camera trying to save China's history from being destroyed, and one of his most treasured achievements is halting a development on the site of the ancient Jinsha Ruins in western Chengdu, Sichuan province.
Go to Forum >>0 Comments