Exchanges Key to Heritage Protection

　　Exchanges and co-operation are effective ways of dealing with the issues of cultural heritage preservation and economic development.

　　This was the message from participants at a forum at the 2006 Historical and Cultural Cities Expo, currently taking place in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.

　　The expo is being sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Construction, and has been organized by Nanjing city government.

　　"Rapid development powered by high economic growth rates has posed serious problems for the preservation of cultural and historic relics in our cities," said Jiang Hongkun, mayor of Nanjing.

　　One of the best ways to solve the problem is to hold talks and share experiences among nations with rich cultural heritages, said Zhang Xinsheng, chairman of the China Committee for UNESCO.

　　Altogether, 53 mayors from 13 countries attended the forum.

　　They came from Berne,Switzerland; Los Angeles, U.S.; Jeonju, Republic of Korea;Florence, Italy; and Birmingham, U.K.

　　"Our greatest potential was the loving care shown by people towards their city, and this affection remained steadfast even when other places in the world were being ruthlessly modernized," said Alexander Tschappat, mayor of Berne.

　　Historical sites are well protected in some countries and cities, said Tschappat. However, he added, many old cities and towns across the world have been damaged or destroyed due to people's indifference.

　　"It is sad that many people don't know the significance of preserving treasures that can tell us about the evolution of civilization and link the past with the present," said He Huazhang, vice-mayor of Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, whose city has been trying to preserve important sites.

　　In China, where the economy has been developing at an unprecedented speed over the past 20 years, some local governments have attached more importance to economic growth than protecting cultural heritage.