Not long ago, many websites in China announced that Zhangjiajie, a scenic area in central China's Hunan Province, would soon be removed from UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites because of excessive development. Zhangjiajie officials immediately refuted the charge -- adding the illegal buildings in the scenic area, which had invited criticism, were being demolished.

Also discounting the rumor was Prof. Xie Ninggao, director of the World Heritage Research Center of the Peking University, who noted that the steps both for inclusion and disqualification are extensive. So far 31 properties are on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger, and two sites neither of which was in China -- were added on December 11 and 14, 2001 by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO.

Nevertheless, over-development today prevails at many of China's 28 world heritage sites, and if effective measures are not taken, these sites could be placed on the List of the World Heritage in Danger which gives the speculation on the websites a certain basis.

"I hope we can put all of them under good protection and keep them away from the List of World Heritage in Danger," said Prof. Xie.

The World Heritage Center and related organizations of the UNESCO investigate and appraise all current world heritage sites. Thereafter, they submit reports on the present state of the property to the World Heritage Committee. According to international convention, the committee examines and responds to the report: encourage, usher in international cooperation and assistance or cite the sites for warning. The committee may, in urgent need, make a new entry into the List of World Heritage in Danger and publicize the site immediately.

In September 1998, after a two-day investigation of Zhangjiajie by experts from the committee, the local government at Wulingyuan, a scenic spot in Zhangjiajie, was severely criticized for turning the spot into an isolated island of booming tourism. In addition, the valley entrance and the top of Mt. Tianzi at Wulingyuan were being affected adversely by uncontrolled urbanization. The narrowing riverbeds were also threatened by an influx of roads, restaurants and hotels along the riverside.

Ever since, the media has reported that Wulingyuan got a "yellow card" from the committee. But Prof. Xie Ninggao reported that the world heritage convention does not have such penalty. According to the convention, if a site continues blind construction despite repeated criticism, it will be placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

A variety of factors are threatening China's world heritage sites. Excessive tourism and development are the two most serious, and according to Prof. Xie many sites in the country are being endangered by them through uncontrolled and unplanned construction of hotels, restaurants and artificial scenery.

So while no Chinese sites have been included on the List of World Heritage in Danger problems exist as too many local authorities and people have a poor sense of protecting these sites and as tourism booms without regard to international World Heritage principles.

(From 中国青年报[China Youth Daily], January 20, and translated by Guo Xiaohong for china.org.cn)