A section of the Great Wall in north China's Hebei Province was left in a mess after an overnight party on July 30, prompting calls for legislation on the protection of one of the country's national treasures, the Beijing Morning Post reported on Monday.

The China Great Wall Association confirmed reports that a group of Chinese and foreign youths threw a party on the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall between the borders of Hebei Province and Beijing on July 30.

"The party gradually come to a close at about 6:00am in the morning and piles of rubbish, wine bottles were on the Great Wall, " a reporter who took part in the event said. "The air was thick with the smell of vomit and urine," it was reported.

Many people consider this a desecration of the Great Wall which is regarded as a national cultural symbol, and have urged the State to issue nationwide rules on its protection.

"The party severely damaged the image of the Great Wall which is a world cultural heritage. We should visit it with respect and love, instead of desecrating it, "Dong Yaohui, secretary general of the China Great Wall Association, said.

Actually, this is the eighth party to be held on the Great Wall, but the first to attract media attention, the report said. Youngsters from China and overseas gather every year for rave parties on the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall.

In 1997, the Jinshanling section was rented out by local government to a company for 6 million yuan (US $ 740,000) in a 50-year deal, the report said.

A member of staff from the company said she knew little about the overnight party. The person in charge was out of town and could not be reached for comment.

There is currently no law or regulation governing parties on the Great Wall, according to Dong.

Beijing issued a rule against the commercial use of the Great Wall in August 2003. However, it only applies to the Beijing Municipality. The Jinshanling section is under the jurisdiction of Hebei Province.

Dong revealed that the country will soon release laws and regulations governing the protection of the Great Wall. Rules outlining the management and commercial use of cultural heritage sites are also expected soon.

(chinadaily.com.cn August 10, 2005)