Three historical sites in Zhenjiang in east China's Jiangsu Province, have been granted Asia-Pacific cultural heritage protection awards for 2001 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The three sites are the Stone Pagoda, the Guanyin Cave and a charitable association hall, all on Xijindu Street, which was put on UNESCO's Asia-Pacific cultural heritage site in October last year.

The city of Zhenjiang boasts a long history and many places of interest. The municipal government has allocated some 7million yuan (US$843,000) to intensify the work of protecting these archeological sites in recent years.

In addition, the government also attracted some 200 million yuan in private donations to maintain these sites in 2001.

(eastday.com January 27, 2007)