If the honor is bestowed, it will become the 29th Chinese property to have joined the World Heritage List.

Sources with the Chinese National Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) confirmed Wednesday the park will be the only Chinese candidate submitted to the 27th Session of the World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris between June 29 and July 5.

The session will add a further 30 properties to the World Heritage List, from candidates submitted by UN member states.

The Three Parallel Rivers National Park, which covers an area of 34,000 square kilometers, will apply to be listed as a "natural property," according to the commission sources.

The list includes natural, cultural and mixed properties.

The park boasts a rich biodiversity and is of great importance for geographic study.

For example, the number of animal species in it accounts for more than 25 percent of the country's total.

UNESCO experts examined the park last year and said it was qualified for a world heritage title, said a source surnamed Zuo with the office for landscapes under the Ministry of Construction.

(China Daily June 12, 2003)