China will further expand international cooperation to ensure full protection and appropriate utilization of cultural and natural heritages, said Chinese President Hu Jintao Monday.

Hu made the remark in a message to the opening ceremony of the 28th Session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO),which is held in Suzhou, a scenic city known for its classical gardens in east China's Jiangsu province.

The conference, attended by more than 500 government delegates and experts, is to review proposed additions to the current World Heritage List and assess the global efforts for heritage conservation. It is scheduled to conclude on July 7.

In 1972 at the WHC 17th session, the UNESCO adopted the International Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Since then, the convention designated sites around the world with outstanding cultural values or unique natural beauty and inscribe them on the World Heritage List.

The convention "has played an important role in guiding the heritage protection work in the world," Hu said in the message read by Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili.

"All the signatory countries should implement the convention in real earnest manner and learn from the others on the basis of equality and mutual respect so as to better protect the common heritage properties of mankind," Hu said.

Noting that the Chinese government has always shown great concern for the protection of cultural and natural heritages, Hu said China will further promote the nation's cultural development, intensify protection of the ecological environment and expand international cooperation in the field for the harmonious development between mankind and nature.

The president also called on the international community to strengthen protection of world heritage properties, describing the mission as being "imperative" to all in the world.

Every country has its unique cultural and natural heritages, which are not only a precious legacy of a country or a nationality, but also treasures of mankind, he noted.

However, he pointed out, many valuable cultural and natural heritages have been eroded after a long history or have suffered damages by human activities, while some have even been on the brink of being fully ruined.

"It is an imperative task for the international community to strengthen protection of world heritage properties," he stressed.

"Diversity is a basic feature of world civilization," Hu said, adding that the progress of human history has been a course of constant exchanges, combination and innovation among different civilizations.

"To strengthen dialogues among different civilizations is conducive to mutual understanding and learning among different countries and nationalities, and also helps promote the lofty course of world peace and development," Hu said.

It is China's hope that the UNESCO will play a greater role in promoting international cultural exchanges, he added.
 
(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2004)