China's first regulation to protect the Great Wall took effect Friday, restricting the shooting of films and television programs and large-scale gatherings on the world heritage site.

According to the regulation, it is the responsibility of all Chinese citizens and local governments involved to protect the Great Wall.

The regulation also calls for efforts to dismantle and relocate structures deemed unsafe and harmful to the surroundings of the ancient wall.

Kong Fanshi, vice-director of the Cultural Relics Bureau of the Beijing municipal government, said facts have shown that booming tourism and development around the wall poses a growing threat.

Luo Zhewen, an Great Wall expert, said the regulation represents a milestone in protecting the world's longest cultural relic.

The Great Wall section in Beijing is 629 kilometers in length, including some of the most historically valuable parts built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), said an official.

The Great Wall was first built in the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, and most of it has survived essentially undamaged.

Close

Today's Top News		Top Lifestyle News
+The next great leap after Shenzhou V ( 2003-10-21) +Hu calls for balanced development ( 2003-10-21) +Report: SARS not airborne virus ( 2003-10-21) +Japan urged to resolve weapons issue ( 2003-10-21) +Int'l AIDS group opens Beijing office ( 2003-10-21)		+Landmark Disney concert hall dedicated in Los Angeles ( 2003-10-21) +Growth of 30 percent Chinese babies impaired by lack of breast ( 2003-10-21) +Increasing tourists flock to Tibet ( 2003-10-21) +Hollywood actress-singer signs deal to produce TV talk ( 2003-10-21) +China urged to build up talent pool of financial mathematicians ( 2003-10-21)