Preserve cultural heritage

China has been pumping up attention for its cultural heritage sites in the same spirit as its rush to economic development. The country now has the third largest listing of UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Sites.

Unfortunately, China has put a lot more effort into getting cultural heritage site listings than in protecting the sites from construction that threatens their integrity. The guiding principle seems to have been: If it's good for tourism and any other forms of economic development, it's good for our heritage.

But things may be changing. Last November, a new law was passed to properly manage the country's 33 treasures on the UNESCO lists of World Heritage Cultural Sites and combined Natural and Cultural Sites.