Saving cultural relics in coal-rich province

In the city of Jiexiu, North China's Shanxi province, a 1,600-year-old, once dilapidated underground tunnel has been returned to its original glory.

The 10,000-meter-long tunnel was a military defense in ancient China. However, due to a dearth of proper protection, it decayed with the Zhangbi Castle, a Chinese-style architecture situated just above it.

"We have spent almost 600 million yuan ($86 million) to restore the cultural tunnel and the castle," said Zhang Jinxiang, with a local coal company. "We repaired the decaying old buildings and consolidated the tunnel."

In the coal-rich Shanxi province, many have joined in efforts to protect local cultural relics through social capital, including those from the coal industry, seeking changes amid safety scrutiny and environmental woes.

So far, 88 relics have received sufficient funds for restoration in Shanxi, according to the latest government figures.