The Three Parallel Rivers National Park in Southwest China's
Yunnan Province has applied to join the United Nations World
Heritage list.
If
the honor is bestowed, it will become the 29th Chinese property to
have joined the World Heritage List.
Sources with the Chinese National Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) confirmed Wednesday the park
will be the only Chinese candidate submitted to the 27th Session of
the World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris
between June 29 and July 5.
The session will add a further 30 properties to the World Heritage
List, from candidates submitted by UN member states.
The Three Parallel Rivers National Park, which covers an area of
34,000 square kilometers, will apply to be listed as a "natural
property," according to the commission sources.
The list includes natural, cultural and mixed properties.
The park boasts a rich biodiversity and is of great importance for
geographic study.
For example, the number of animal species in it accounts for more
than 25 percent of the country's total.
UNESCO experts examined the park last year and said it was
qualified for a world heritage title, said a source surnamed Zuo
with the office for landscapes under the Ministry of
Construction.
(China Daily June 12, 2003)