China will nominate two more sites for inclusion on the World Heritage List, at the 30th session of the World Heritage Committee which begins in Lithuania on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Construction has published it's first natural heritage list, to increase awareness of the need to protect the nation's unspoilt wild spaces.

The first site to be nominated is the Yin Ruins in Central China's Henan Province, which were once the capital of the Shang dynasty's empire 3,300 years ago. Ancient inscribed bones and the world's largest bronze vessel the Simuwu Square Vessel have been unearthed there. The other nominee is the area inhabited by giant pandas in Southwest China's Sichuan Province.

China currently has 31 sites included on the World Heritage List, ranking third behind Spain and Italy.

"The World Heritage Committee focuses on protection," said Tian Xiaogang, secretary-general of the China National Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

In order to strengthen the protection of China's natural heritage, the Ministry of Construction will compile a list of natural sites and sites with both natural and cultural importance.

The first batch of 30 sites was unveiled yesterday in Beijing.

From the list, the ministry will choose nominees for the World Heritage List, said Chen Xiaoli, senior official with the ministry.

The Ministry of Construction is in charge of picking nominees for both natural heritage sites and sites with both natural and cultural properties, while the Ministry of Culture is in charge of cultural sites. Among the 31 world heritage sites in China, only four are included for their natural properties, and five for both natural and cultural properties, according to the website of the Ministry of Culture.

The ministry hopes compiling the new list will encourage managers' to look after the listed sites and learn the international rules of world heritage management. "Sites on the list are required to deliver annual inspection reports to local construction administrations. Those who fail to take adequate protection measures will be removed from the list," said Wang Fengwu, a senior official with the Ministry of Construction.

(China Daily July 6, 2006)