For deliberately damaging the Great Wall a north China construction firm on
Sunday paid a 500,000 yuan (US$63,776) fine, according to the local
cultural heritage protection bureau.
In March Hongji Landbridge Investment Development Inc. started
construction of a highway through a section of the Great Wall in
Ulanqab City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, without
government approval.?
Regional cultural heritage protection officials said the company
refused to halt construction even after warnings and suggestions
that they change the route, excavate channels or build
viaducts.
Wang Dafang, an official with the regional cultural heritage
bureau, said the construction led to the demolition of large
sections of the Great Wall and three ancient villages under
government protection. The bureau issued the fine according to
cultural heritage protection laws on October 20, Wang added.
The Great Wall stretches more than 6,700 kilometers from west to
northeast China. Its dates back to the Warring States Period
(475-221 B.C.) when separate sections were built in scattered
strategic areas to defend against invasion by northern nomadic
tribes.
Experts say the Great Wall has suffered extensive natural and
human damage in recent years. Only 30 percent built during the Ming
Dynasty (1368-1644) remains.?
China's first regulation on protection of the Great Wall, which
came into effect on Friday, prohibits the removal of soil or
bricks, planting trees, carving on the Wall or building anything
that doesn't actually protect it.
It also bans the use of motor vehicles on the world heritage
site and the unauthorized organization of activities open to
tourists.
Those who violate the regulations can be fined 10,000 to 50,000
yuan (US$1,276 to 6,378) while institutions can be fined 50,000
yuan to 500,000 yuan (US$6,378 to 63,776).
(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2006)