As part of the ongoing 15th general assembly of the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, a forum on Principles for the Conservation of Heritage Sites in China opened on October 18, attracting attention from experts from home and abroad.

The principles were produced by the ICOMOS China National Committee in collaboration with the US-based Getty Conservation Institute and Australian Heritage Commission.

They are based on consideration of conservation needs in the specific context of China, and were adopted by the China State Administration of Culture Heritage in 2003 as guidelines for monuments and sites and issued as applicable for selected sites.

Zhang Bai, ICOMOS China president, presented the principles to the forum, and representatives from the Getty Institute and Australia's Department for Environment and Heritage gave lectures on the application of the principles at the Chengde and Mogao Grottos.

Zhang said the principles address the need for adequate investigation and evaluation of heritage sites at an earlier stage before concrete conservation measures are implemented.

"The principles are more detailed and practical than those described in the International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Site -- the Venice Charter (1964) or the Nara Document on Authenticity (1994)," said Zhang.

With advice from international professionals, more training programs will be held to raise awareness of the principles, Zhang said.

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Wang Zhiyong, October 20, 2005)