Saving cultural relics in coal-rich province

Shanxi province has more than 900 coal mines, with an annual output of 900 million tonnes. About 300,000 coal miners in the province are working long hours underground.

China has slashed coal production in the province in recent years, with authorities having suspended or held back the construction of 82 coal mines in the first five months of 2019.

Meanwhile, in the historical province of Shanxi, more than 5,500 ancient buildings have survived the test of time. But the local government was shy of funds to protect relics and had to resort to social capital.

"Only about 3,000 cultural remains have obtained funds for protection, and the rest are still vulnerable," said Zhao Shuguang, with the Shanxi Culture Relics Bureau.

Under such circumstances, many traditional coal companies are using this opportunity to transform themselves by switching to the tourism industry.

Zhang Jinxiang, with the coal company, said they have signed an agreement with the Shanxi government, with every detail of the repairs under government supervision.