A section of the Great
Wall in north China's Hebei
Province was left in a mess after an overnight party on July
30, prompting calls for legislation on the protection of one of the
country's national treasures, the Beijing Morning Post
reported on Monday.
The China Great Wall Association confirmed reports that a group
of Chinese and foreign youths threw a party on the Jinshanling
section of the Great Wall between the borders of Hebei Province and
Beijing on July 30.
"The party gradually come to a close at about 6:00am in the
morning and piles of rubbish, wine bottles were on the Great Wall,
" a reporter who took part in the event said. "The air was thick
with the smell of vomit and urine," it was reported.
Many people consider this a desecration of the Great Wall which
is regarded as a national cultural symbol, and have urged the State
to issue nationwide rules on its protection.
"The party severely damaged the image of the Great Wall which is
a world cultural heritage. We should visit it with respect and
love, instead of desecrating it, "Dong Yaohui, secretary general of
the China Great Wall Association, said.
Actually, this is the eighth party to be held on the Great Wall,
but the first to attract media attention, the report said.
Youngsters from China and overseas gather every year for rave
parties on the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall.
In 1997, the Jinshanling section was rented out by local
government to a company for 6 million yuan (US $ 740,000) in a
50-year deal, the report said.
A member of staff from the company said she knew little about
the overnight party. The person in charge was out of town and could
not be reached for comment.
There is currently no law or regulation governing parties on the
Great Wall, according to Dong.
Beijing issued a rule against the commercial use of the Great
Wall in August 2003. However, it only applies to the Beijing
Municipality. The Jinshanling section is under the jurisdiction of
Hebei Province.
Dong revealed that the country will soon release laws and
regulations governing the protection of the Great Wall. Rules
outlining the management and commercial use of cultural heritage
sites are also expected soon.
(chinadaily.com.cn August 10, 2005)