The cultural relics left by traders, scholars and diplomatic envoys of China's West Regions in the Han (206 B.C.- 220 A.D.) and Tang (618-907 A.D.) Dynasties are the major focus of protection.

"The shabby houses will be pulled down, but the mosques and ancient constructions of cultural value will be kept in better conditions," said Ma Pingyi, a businessman of Hui nationality taking part in the program.

A commercial area will be set aside to provide Muslim food and new houses will be built according to the living habits of Hui people who follow Muslim religion.

The Hui district, in the west of old Xi'an, occupies about 1.8 square kilometers. It was the start of the Silk Road in the Han Dynasty and received traders, diplomatic envoys and students from Ancient Arab and Persia, many of whom chose to live there. The city now has over 60,000 Hui Muslims.

"It is not only for tourism that we rebuild this area," said Ma Xinfang, who is in charge of ethnic minorities and religious affairs in Xi'an.

"This is the last area in old Xi'an in its original state," said Ma.

The road in the area was narrow and the infrastructure was dated, making daily life difficult. Besides, many constructions of historical value were being nibbled away for lack of protection, said Ma.

Yang Mingrui, head of Xi'an City Planning and Design Institute, said: "The reconstruction will protect the cultural relics and keep them in the traditional Muslim style."

The project has received financial support of four million US dollars from the Norwegian government. The first phase of the project has already begun.

(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2003)