Suzhou City Mayor Yang Weize pledged on Monday that his city would impress all participants to the 28th Session of the UNESCO's World Heritage Committee with first-rate service, infrastructure and an image of civilized life.

Yang made the pledge while addressing the opening ceremony of the session held in Suzhou, a popular scenic city in east China's Jiangsu Province.

Suzhou, with a history of 2,518 years, abounds in material and non-material heritage resources. Nine of its ancient parks have been included in the World Heritage List, while Kunqu Opera, as well as the music of Guqin, a seven-stringed zither, have been included into the Oral and Intangible Heritage List of the humanity.

"This ancient Chinese city, with a unique layout, where the original river system is preserved till present day, is a common treasure of the mankind," proclaimed Mayor Yang.

"The city government and the its people have been sparing no efforts in protecting the ancient city on water and are active in inscribing more resources of the city into the World Cultural Heritage List so that the precious historical heritage of this Chinese ancient city can be better protected and passed on from generation to generation," the mayor said.

Yang disclosed that the city government has named June 28 as "World Heritage Day", with the purpose of enhancing the awareness of heritage protection among local residents.
 
(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2004)