Via 24 hours Online, summarized and translated by CDT. View also the slide show of what Laohu Miao has seen along the Great Wall:

On December 1, 2006 the State Council passed “the Great Wall Protection Ordinance”[150 State Council executive meeting], the first chapter of which holds the potential for hidden dangers to the protection of the Great Wall.

Chapter One: In order to strengthen the protection of the Great Wall, and regulate the use of the Great Wall, according to the “People’s Republic Law on Heritage Preservation” (hereinafter referred to the heritage preservation law), this ordinance is enacted.

Clearly, the latest ordinance on the Great Wall allows “the use of the Great Wall”. The action regulating the use of the Great Wall is fairly vague for it’s a simple statement. In such a centralized political system, this vague action provided local leaders the chance to make a fortune from “the use of the Great Wall”.

Indeed, “The Great Wall Protection Ordinance” was both very necessary and very timely. Especially since cases of abuse of the Great Wall are increasing in frequency, “regulations” covering “the use of the Great Wall” are extremely important.

The “Great Wall Protection Ordinance” stipulates, “No construction within the scope of protection of the Great Wall; No demolition of the building and removal of the Great Wall brick soil; No cross or truncation of the Great Wall”.

However, on my journey to the west during which I passed by the Great Wall, what I’ve seen left me in shock. It has been nearly a year since the implementation of the “Great Wall Protection Ordinance”. I have no idea of the violations after enactment of the “regulations”, but what about the damage of the Great Wall prior to the “regulations”? It’s doubtful that the damage will be rectified.

The examples can be seen from the area between Yanchi county of Ningxia to Dingbian County of Shaanxi Province, as well as 10 kilometers on the east side of Yanchi Bao “Huamachi Salt Lake.” From a macro view, the CCP during its war years and the peaceful post-war period, has lacked long-term maintenance of the Great Wall. Its indifference toward the protection to the Great Wall is appalling.

I come from Beijing. In recent years, the Beijing municipal government’s demolition of the old Beijing city for commercial purposes is very similar to what has happened to the Great Wall. Who would say that a “Great Wall Protection Ordinance” will not harm the resources of our ancestors ?

All this is due to the shortcomings of cultural awareness!

– Read also a profile of blogger Laohu Miao and his 24 Hours Online blog, via CDT.