China is exploring new ways of protecting its cultural heritage while meeting the challenges of rapid urbanization, said Shan Jixiang, head of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, in Xi'an on Monday.

Delivering a keynote speech at the 15th General Assembly of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Shan said preserving a city's cultural heritage and cultural sites and blending them with a modern spirit will be important criteria for judging a city.

"The concept and requirement of preserving a city's cultural heritage and its setting must affect every step of city planning. A cultural heritage is not a burden but a treasure. Cultural capital will be a driving force in the development of cities", said Shan.

He said that some Chinese cities are testing new ways of protecting their cultural heritage.

For instance, the Beijing Municipal government solicited citizens' opinions when deciding on the conservation area around the Forbidden City, and finally planned a buffer zone of 13.77 square kilometers.

Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, limits building height and preserves the original state of the city, Shan said.

"Emphasis should be placed on preserving the origins of city culture, respecting differences among regions and stressing cultural diversity. Only by preserving the unique features of a city can we preserve its unique culture," Shan said.

He said that cities are also the focus of archaeological work. Historical remains under cities contain rich information about their history.

In Nanjing, six key underground protection zones have been designated. In these zones, prospecting for cultural relics takes precedence over construction.

Shan acknowledged that the basic purpose of conserving our cultural heritage is to "leave it to our offspring."

Conservation and utilization should be intertwined to express cultural and social values and positive ideas for city development. As a result, a city's cultural heritage can merge into modern life and play a significant role, Shan said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2005)