Meng made the remark on Wednesday while meeting with Yasuyki Aoshima, representative of the Beijing Office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

As a world-renowned ancient city with a long history, Beijing treasures its historical heritage, said Meng, adding that the municipal government should maintain a reasonable balance between efforts to improve people's living standards and the acceleration of the city's construction, and the protection of its ancient style and features.

According to Meng, the local government will survey public opinion before deciding on any plan to protect and restore historical sites.

"We are also willing to listen to advice from UNESCO, to which we promise to respond in a serious manner," Meng said.

He also revealed that Beijing will launch a protection project for Yandaixiejie Street (China Tobacco Pipe Street), a commercial street that flourished towards the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and during the initial phase of the period of the Republic of China (1912-1949).

He invited experts with UNESCO to join in the process of protecting and rebuilding the ancient street, hoping to promote the protection of the ancient city and to strengthen the mutual understanding between China and international organizations.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2003)