China's first regulation to protect the Great Wall took effect Friday, restricting shooting of films and television programs and large-scale gatherings on the world heritage site.

According to the regulation, it is the responsibility of all Chinese citizens and local governments involved to protect the Great Wall.

The regulation also calls for efforts to dismantle and relocate structures deemed unsafe and harmful to the surroundings of the ancient wall.

Kong Fanshi, vice-director of the Cultural Relics Bureau of the Beijing municipal government, said facts have shown that booming tourism and development around the wall poses a growing threat.

Luo Zhewen, a Great Wall expert, said the regulation represents a milestone in protecting the world's longest cultural relic.

The Great Wall section in Beijing is 629 kilometers in length, including some of the most historically valuable parts built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), said an official.

The Great Wall was first built in the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, and most of it has survived essentially undamaged.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2003)