From Chinese Press

Preserve heritage for posterity

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-07-20 08:07

Authorities in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province, are on a destroy-heritage spree to earn fast money from construction projects, says an article on people.com.cn. Excerpts:

Historians, the media and the common people have lashed out local authorities for having demolished a portion of the Grand Canal and a large granary of the Song and Yuan dynasties in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province. But this seems to have no effect on local leaders, who are hell-bent on "demolishing old Zhenjiang to build a new one".

Such gross disregard for history and culture is contrary to the efforts of many other local governments to preserve archeological and historical sites.

In their frenzy for economic gains, local governments have forgotten the importance of historical and cultural heritage. They should realize that their preservation would only result in long-term benefits to the country.

(China Daily 07/20/2010 page9)