The Great Wall in "New 7 Wonders of the World" Election
Updated: 2007-06-13 08:47
So far, there are already some countries, such as Egypt, which have voiced their opposition to the "New 7 Wonders of the World" election. China has remained neutral on the issue. The State Administration of Cultural Heritage announced recently that it would not officially support the election. Shan Jixiang, director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage said that the "New 7 Wonders of the World" election is a private commercial event, and that its organizer does not have the authority of an internationally recognized group. "However, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage does not oppose the civil election. After all, this event does have certain positive characteristics with regards to preserving cultural heritage," Shan commented.
Fortunately, however, the event has played a positive role in spurring Chinese people's enthusiasm and concern about the conservation of the Great Wall as valuable cultural heritage. As Mu Lanying, an official from the China Great Wall Society said, the society launched the campaign to solicit votes for the Great Wall on May 28 in order to raise the Chinese people's awareness for protecting cultural heritage, not just the poll itself.
These years, the Chinese government at all levels has made great efforts in enhancing the protection of the Great Wall and gained some achievements. In April 2006, after three years' negotiation, the local government eventually regained the right of regulating the maintenance and operation of Badaling Great Wall in Beijing from three commercial companies. At present, Badaling Great Wall is under maintenance, which is expected to be completed before 2008.
