Beijing will allocate a total 100 million Yuan (US$12.05 million) this year for protecting cultural relics in this ancient capital, marking the most mighty efforts protection in 50 years.

This year's efforts are part of a 3-year plan of the Beijing Municipal Government to protect cultural relics and historic sites throughout the city with a total input of 330 million Yuan (US$39.76 million), starting from the year 2000.

Since last year, more than 2,000 families and 10 units have been relocated away from historic sites. The most eye-catching was the move-out by the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Relics from Beida Honglou, the originating building of the May 4th Movement in 1919, a massive student movement against imperialism and feudalism.

According to the protection plan, a group of cultural relics sites will be repaired and cleaned up and some others will open to the public.

Beijing has a settlement history of more than 3,000 years and for over 700 years, it served as capital in different historical periods.

(Xinhua 05/22/2001)