(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-11-19 07:15

The draft rules on the monitoring of world cultural heritage have been completed and released to all management institutions and their corresponding local cultural heritage administrations for advice and opinions, according to officials from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH).

A lack of unified rules for the monitoring of sites inscribed on the list of world cultural heritage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has remained a weak point for the effective protection of those sites.

The detailed specifications require that all sites must have a sound monitoring system and those who are working with the system must be trained, pass corresponding tests and obtain certificates before they are allowed to commence work.

With a view to putting under close supervision all the factors that affect the integrity and authenticity of these sites, the rules will be of profound significance to better protect these sites from being damaged intentionally or unintentionally.

The Chinese government attaches importance to the preservation of such sites and has enacted a series of rules and regulations in this regard.

But the integrity and authenticity of some sites are still under threat from unnecessary construction projects, receiving tourists beyond their accommodation capacity, improper preservation, and a lack of sound management.

Exactitude in small matters is the very soul of discipline. The making of these rules is based on this principle.

For example, the monitoring of natural environment and human activity impacts must be reported to relevant departments on a monthly basis, and so must the monitoring of the major structures for preservation on a yearly basis.

Constant reports can reflect the wellbeing of all world heritage sites. Therefore, the SACH will be able to know what happens to any site in a timely manner and immediately take measures to stop any activity that may cause damage to the integrity of the heritage.

Sound as the monitoring system may be, we must be aware that the task ahead for proper preservation of these sites will still be difficult. The conflict between their preservation and local economic development will still stand in the way of enforcing these rules to the letter.

(China Daily 11/19/2007 page4)