The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO has conferred an award on a famous Chinese expert on ancient architecture for his superb work in protecting cultural heritage sites. 

Professor Yuan Yisan is the first individual to receive an award from UNESCO for such a contribution.

Thanks to his efforts, six ancient towns in east China's Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces have also been granted the 2003 UNESCO Cultural heritage protection award.

The protection of the six towns is seen by UNESCO as an important milestone in the protection of historically valuable sites.

(CRI December 10, 2003)