The Chinese government is working hard to promote the protection of cultural heritage and the coordinated development of cultural undertakings and economic efforts, said Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng in an exclusive interview with Xinhua Wednesday.

"Cultural heritages are the only link between us and our ancestors," the minister said, "and they are rare evidence of the colorful history of mankind."

Sun is now leading a Chinese government delegation attending the current 28th session of the World Heritage Conference, which is being held in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, east China.

According to the official, since China joined the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage 20 years ago, 29 Chinese sites have been inscribed on the World Heritage List. He attributed it to the great attention to the issue by the Chinese government, adding that the Chinese government has spent 10 years to prepare for the current meeting.

The minister expressed his hopes that this session could encourage all ethnic groups and governments of all levels in the country to pay greater attention to culture and the protection of cultural heritage in particular.

China has signed inter-governmental cultural agreements with 145 foreign nations, set up cultural offices in 89 foreign countries and regions, and opened cultural centers in six foreign countries.

In recent years, China held a series of exhibitions overseas, to show its best cultural relics. Meanwhile, a number of cultural heritage sites of other countries have held exhibitions in China.

He disclosed that this year China will try its best to join the Convention on the Safeguard of the Cultural and Non-Material Heritage. In October, Shanghai is to host the seventh ministerial meeting of the International Forum for Cultural Policy.
 
(Xinhua News Agency July 1, 2004)