This was the main topic discussed yesterday during the Fourth Session of the Ninth Guangzhou People's Political Consultative Conference (GPPCC).

The project to protect and revive the charm of the city's cultural and historical heritage is top of the agenda for Guangzhou's 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05), said Chen Kaizhi, president of the GPPCC, at the conference.

It is hoped the project will be effective in reviving the ancient charm of the city and to boost the economy, Chen said.

In 1983, the State Council said Guangzhou could reconstruct its ancient sections as part of its civil plan.

Guangzhou's 2,200-year history has given the city a number of cultural relics, which amount to more than 40 protected sites.

"The project will improve the cultural image of the city," Chen said, adding that protecting ancient sites will help restore the knowledge of religion, ethics and customs.

It will be a plus for the city's tourism industry, one of the pivotal industries, for rich history and culture added to a city's charm.

Official statistics indicate Guangzhou's tourism revenue reached 41 billion yuan (US$4.9 billion) last year, 5 billion yuan (US$600 million) more than the previous year.

In the 10th Five-Year Plan, the tourism industry will bring more dynamism to economic development, Chen said.

In recent years, Guangzhou has set up institutions to research the city's historical and cultural heritage. Many typical ancient constructions have been refurbished and protected.

The fund for protecting ancient constructions reached 9 million yuan (US$1.1 million) in 1997, and has been increased annually at a rate of 10 per cent.

The project needs to be carried out from an overall and long-term perspective, though a lack of fund and proper supervision are urgent problems which need to be handled, Chen said.

Many historians and officials responsible for cultural protection from various city districts have raised proposals at the conference.

(China Daily 03/08/2001)