At present, there is not a unified world heritage management department in China. The Forbidden City is managed by the state, the Summer Place is managed by Beijing City, and the Kong Family Mansion, Confucius Temple and Kong Cemetery are managed by Qufu, Ji’ning City of Shandong Province. Local governments at different levels can function as a supervisor, a manager and a beneficiary. This leads to the imbalance of power and poor management
The present systems can not change within a short period, we should reinforce legislation to improve current situation. Removing heritage from the world heritage list or putting it on the endangered list is just a punishment or damage to the heritage itself leaving those who destroy heritage sites at large. Heritage sites are non-renewable. Any damage could make them in unfavorable situations.
There is a symbol for World Heritage, with a circle on the outside and a rhombus inside the circle. The circle symbolizes nature and the rhombus symbolizes the creations of human being. The two figures combined symbolize a perfect integration of nature and human being.
Once a western scholar said that, “Sooner or later, you will have what we have today; while what you have, we will never have.” Therefore, we should all make efforts to promote the longevity of the world heritage sites scattering in China. It’s the mission of the governments and every Chinese citizen.
Translated by Chen Yanqiu
Editor: Dong Lin
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