Huaxia Cultural Links Project, a non-governmental academic organization, are planning to manufacture a gem encrusted Native Land Map of Huaxia (China). The unique topographical chart will include not only soil collected from all parts of the nation, but crystal and precious stones.

The idea behind the project is twofold. Firstly, to promote Chinese culture and secondly to deepen the spirit of unity among all the nationalities of China, explained Li Yongfeng, a member of the project's organization committee during an appraisal meeting yesterday.

To ensure the authenticity of the soil used in each map, a mini army will be dispatched to every corner of the nation to collect the soil. They will traverse China's 34 provinces, autonomous, municipal and special administrative regions, said Li, who is also a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

It is hoped that the shape and modeling of the map will embody something of China's ancient culture, which has spanned more than five thousand years, said designer Zhao Erhu.

The name of each area on the map will be spelt out in soil taken from its corresponding region. In addition to the indigenous soil samples, the map will be adorned with precious stones, crystal and red copper.

Each map will be 60 centimeters (23.62 inches) long, 50 centimeters (19.69 inches) high and 5 centimeters (1. 97 inches) in thick.

According to Wang Jidong, responsible for marketing, soil from Beijing, Gansu, Hainan and Taiwan has already been collected. A total of 4,000 of the maps will be made and issued both at home and abroad.

Half have already been snapped up, ordered by overseas buyers, said Wang.

The 34 areas will be allocated 56 maps -- one for each ethnic group -- and evocative of the unity of the motherland.

(China Daily September 5, 2002)