China's Ministry of Construction has issued a new regulation to strengthen the protection of historical city streets and buildings, which will take effect on Feb. 1, 2004.

A city should set specific protection areas for historical streets and buildings in city planning, and all construction activities in these areas should be supervised, according to the regulation.

It says that damaging, demolishing and restructuring historical buildings, construction of new buildings to change the traditional style of the old buildings, and illegally occupying or damaging gardens, grasslands, lakes, roads and ancient and rare trees are all forbidden in protection areas.

Anyone who is in breach of the regulation shall face punishment or charges according to law, the regulation says.
 
(Xinhua News Agency January 7, 2004)