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Scholars Protest Relic Destruction
Officials and scholars Tuesday condemned the destruction of ancient buildings and called for better protection of historical relics.
At a symposium on the protection of relics, experts said the dismantling of buildings in Dinghai, Zhoushan of Zhejiang Province was a throw-back to the "cultural revolution," (1966-76) during which a large number of invaluable antiques and cultural relics were destroyed.
"Modernization doesn't collide with preservation." said Wang Jinghui, senior consultant with the Ministry of Construction. "Demolishing old buildings can't solve the traffic problem.
A city's development isn't measured by its traffic. It's stupid to sacrifice a city's own features to so-called modernization."
Experts also called for sound laws and strong courts to protect ancient sites.
"For the time being, the most urgent issue is to legislate the protection of cultural relics," said Xu Pingfang, senior consultant with the Ministry of Construction.
"No one is above the law. Anyone who abuses his power will be punished," said Cai Dingjian, a researcher with National People's Congress (NPC).
Scholars agreed to submit a petition to urge the State Council's legislative bodies to update and complete laws on the protection of cultural relics.
"Zhoushan's policy-makers are not stimulating the city's economy but ruining it. The city is famous for its rich cultural heritage and magnificent coastal scenery. But fewer people will visit the place if the ancient buildings are replaced by concrete," said Zhen Xiaoxie, senior consultant with the Ministry of Construction.
"In the long run cultural relics is of great importance for a place's stable development."
Tourism is an important source of revenue for the nation's 22 provinces, 10 consider it their pillar industry.
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