Preservation of old buildings urged for culture and history

THE MINISTRY of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has issued a notice urging local authorities to make extra efforts to protect historic buildings and refrain from "rebuilding" destroyed relics. Beijing News commented on Sunday:

The latest notice makes clear historic buildings, regardless of their previous ownership and use, although not "cultural relics", are still under the protection of local governments.

The clarification is part of a response to the dilemma facing many such buildings, which are either under poor protection or subject to unauthorized rectification even demolition since they are not protected cultural relics.