Northeast China Province Moves to Protect FossilsNortheast China's Liaoning Province, rich in heritage sites and cultural ruins, has enacted a specialize regulation to protect ancient fossils.The aim of the regulation is to consolidate the protection of the province's heritage, standardize the administration of cultural relics, and crack down on the smuggling of relics. In addition, it establishes criteria for rating various fossils, sources here told Xinhua Friday. Fossils with little value for scientific research will be allowed to be traded on the market after identification by connoisseurs, according to the regulation. China is considering adjusting the existing regulations concerning the export of cultural artifacts, and imposing tariffs on legitimate exports. Precious artifacts will not be allowed to leave the country without permits from the government, according to the State Cultural Heritage Administration (SCHA). The SCHA also plans to draw up regulations concerning overseas exhibitions and donations to protect cultural relics. By the year 2015, China expects to have 25 World Cultural Heritage sites recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The Great Wall and the Palace Museum are already on the heritage list. |
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