World Cultural Heritage: The Great Wall (5)

Many emperors, soldiers garrisoned along the border, and poets left a large number of immortal writings throughout the ages. The border-themed poems have become an important branch of classical literature. For example, Li Bai once wrote, "the wind, which came from tens of thousands of miles away, finally arrives at the Yumen Pass," Wang Changling once wrote, "The moon that shone in the Qin Dynasty still shines, and the mountain passes that were used in the Han Dynasty still stand," Wang Wei once wrote, "please drink one more cup of wine, for you will find no old friends after leaving the Yangguan Pass," and Cen Shen once wrote, "As if the vernal breeze had come back, and adorned thousands of pear trees with white blossoms overnight." These poems have been handed down from generation to generation. In addition, people today still sing the songs about Meng Jiangnv sending winter clothing to her husband. The remains of ancient fortresses and impregnable passes still exist, making the scenery of China even more magnificent. The Great Wall will be with China and the entire world for ever.

Background: World Cultural and Natural Heritage

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) passed the "Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage" in Paris on November 16, 1972. The convention, which aims to identify and protect the cultural and natural heritage that mean a lot to human civilization, sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites and their role in protecting and preserving them. Each country pledges to conserve not only the World Heritage sites situated on its territory, but also to protect its national heritage. In 1976, the World Heritage Committee was founded and the World Heritage List was created. China ratified the convention in 1985, and began submitting world heritage status applications to the UNESCO in 1986.

The world heritage is divided into natural heritage, cultural heritage (including cultural landscapes), and the mixture of natural and cultural heritage. Sites included in the world heritage list will become world-class scenic spots, and can obtain financial support from the World Heritage Fund. Meanwhile, related organizations can arrange for foreign tourists to visit these scenic spots.

Since 1987, China has had 29 cultural relics and natural landscapes listed on the World Heritage List, including 21 cultural heritage relics, 4 natural heritage relics and 4 cultural and natural heritage relics. Furthermore, the Chinese Kunqu Opera and Guqin have been listed in the list of "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity."