Xinhua News Agency reported today that archaeologists have raised further concerns about the destruction of cultural heritage by the huge south-north water diversion project.

"Archeological excavation and heritage protection should have been done before the start of the project. But the preservation plan has not been approved yet and funding is not in place," said Tong Peihua, deputy director of the archaeological institute of Shandong Province.
   
Last month, an investigation group composed of national advisors, heritage protection and water conservancy experts conducted an inspection tour along the route of the project in Shandong, Jiangsu, Hubei and Henan provinces, to see how well cultural relics were being protected.

According to the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, 788 cultural heritage sites will be affected by the project, including at least two world heritage sites -- Yuzhen Palace on Wudang Mountain and the Yan State Great Wall remains from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC).
   
In addition, two sites under national level protection and 24 under provincial level protection will also be impacted, whilst the number of underground relics that will be submerged is unknown.

Similar concerns were raised in the construction of the Three Gorges Project, and experts said the sites affected by the south-north water diversion project are much more valuable than those there.

Tong said the project's funding for cultural heritage protection should be included in its total cost, which is supported by central and local governments and bank loans.
   
However, many local governments objected, saying cultural relics belong to the state and their cost of protection should be covered by central government, he said.
       
The south-north water diversion project was launched at the end of 2002 to tackle water shortages in the northern part of the country.
   
Its eastern route is expected to supply water to Shandong by 2007, and its central route to supply Henan and Hebei provinces, Beijing and Tianjin by 2010.    
   
A water conservancy expert participating in the investigation said the project was urgent as the whole of north China depends on overexploitation of groundwater, and Beijing's supply would dry up in a dozen years if the situation continues.
   
(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2005)