China's first regulation to protect the Great Wall took effect
Friday, restricting shooting of films and television programs and
large-scale gatherings on the world heritage site.
According to the regulation, it is the responsibility of all
Chinese citizens and local governments involved to protect the
Great Wall.
The regulation also calls for efforts to dismantle and relocate
structures deemed unsafe and harmful to the surroundings of the
ancient wall.
Kong Fanshi, vice-director of the Cultural Relics Bureau of the
Beijing municipal government, said facts have shown that booming
tourism and development around the wall poses a growing threat.
Luo Zhewen, a Great Wall expert, said the regulation represents
a milestone in protecting the world's longest cultural relic.
The Great Wall section in Beijing is 629 kilometers in length,
including some of the most historically valuable parts built during
the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), said an official.
The Great Wall was first built in the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC)
and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, and most of it has survived
essentially undamaged.
(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2003)