Etching your name into the stones of the Great Wall of China
after completing your visit is immoral and will be a punishable
offence under new regulations which take effect on Dec. 1,
2006.
The information is announced in a briefing on the Regulation
held at the foot of the Badaling section of the Great Wall on Wednesday, Beijing Evening
News reported.
Altogether seven activities are to be banned on the Great Wall,
namely removing earth, bricks and stones from the wall, planting
crops on the wall, daubing or etching inscriptions, installing
facilities unrelated to Great Wall protection, driving across the
wall, exhibiting articles that may damage the wall and organizing
activities in off-limit sections. These regulations will be added
to China's current cultural relics protection law.
According to the regulation, those spraying graffiti or writing
on the Great Wall will be subjected to a fine of 200 to 500 yuan.
Other violations will incur penalties as high as 50,000 yuan (about
US$6,410) for individuals and 500,000 yuan (about US$64,100) for
organizations.?
In terms of tourist flux to the Great Wall, an official said
this would be restricted through ticket sales. However, up till now
the number of tourists at the Badaling section of the Great Wall is
still within parameters and there is no need to impose restrictions
as of yet.
(Xinhua News Agency and Chinanews.cn December 1, 2006)
