The Chinese government is to crack down on illegal construction projects in areas of high historical and cultural value and scenic areas, Minister of Construction Wang Guangtao said in Beijing Monday.

Wang said at a national conference on the protection of national scenic areas that China would ban the sale of resources and land in scenic areas in any form or for any reason.

Private companies or enterprises would be prohibited from participating in the management and supervision of these areas, and the administrative agencies will be barred from running them commercially, said Wang.

Some administrative bodies had made unnecessary developments for illegal profits, severely damaging the natural environment and scenery.

Wang said all departments must examine and prove feasibility before approving a construction project within a scenic area, and plans to remove old buildings must be publicized.

China has 677 scenic areas at various levels, of which 151 are national key scenic areas. Twelve areas of China have been listed as world heritage sites.

( People's Daily August 27, 2002)