Calls for volunteers to guard historic sites

Cultural heritage experts are urging managers of historic sites to recruit more volunteers to keep watch over China's priceless relics.

The call comes shortly after centuries-old stonemasonry at Beijing's Ming Tombs was badly damaged by suspected would-be thieves.

Although many sites already have cameras and barriers, expert He Shuzhong warned that the general lack of awareness among the public and administrators about the importance of relics is a threat to their preservation.