Members of the Naxi ethnic group living in southwest China's Yunnan Province will soon enjoy government protection for their ancient Dongba culture.

The word "Dongba" refers to a collection of legends, sculptures, clothing, paintings and religion that were uniquely developed by the Naxi ethnic group, now living in compact communities in the Lijiang Naxi Autonomous County in Yunnan.

Featuring a language of purely hieroglyphic characters that are still in use, Dongba culture has become a major draw for tourists in Lijiang.

Sadly, this culture has been threatened recently by cases of smuggling of cultural relics.

The provincial government has reinforced relics protection by stepping up legislation.

According to a new series of stipulations, any Dongba relics in the possession of individuals or public institutions should be registered with local administrative organizations, and any form of transaction related to them are prohibited.

Meanwhile, the county government has also been urged to take advantage of the local cultural school to inherit and develop the culture.

Anyone causing damage to cultural relics will be required to compensate the owners or face going to court, according to the regulations.

Thanks to its outstanding architecture and folk culture, Lijiang has been placed on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Naxi people, numbering about 300,000 in total, have managed to maintain some of the ancient Dongba characters of the Naxi language.

(Xinhua 06/18/2001)