More than 20 historic buildings in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) will be recommended to join the list of the World Cultural Heritage.

An inauguration ceremony for the Macao world heritage application project was held here Monday with the participation of officials from the SAR government and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The buildings are regarded as the most unique historic monuments in Macao, such as the Barra Temple, the Ruins of St. Paul Church and the Senado Square.

Fernando Chui Sai On, secretary for social affairs and culture, told the press that the buildings are "a textbook with substantial content, a period of history featuring lively Eastern and Western art and a good example exhibiting a variety of culture."

The government plans to set up a special world heritage application committee and expects the participation of all the Macao people, he said, adding that the project has won support from a few state departments.

A total of 20 Chinese projects have so far been listed as the World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO, ranking the 3rd place following Italy and Spain.

In line with a regulation of the United Nations, the World Cultural Heritage will be protected and aided by all the UNESCO members.

(People's Daily 07/23/2001)