A set of regulations will soon come into force to protect the "Dongba Culture" of the Lijiang Naxi Autonomous County in Southwest China's Yunnan Province.

"Dongba Culture" includes a series of legendary, sculptures, clothes, paintings and religion that is uniquely developed by the Naxi ethnic group now living in compact communities in Lijiang.

Most highlighted by a set of purely hieroglyphic characters still in use today, the culture has become one of the major tourist attractions in Lijiang, a place listed as world cultural heritage.

However, the illegal transactions of the culture's relics have been constantly discovered. The provincial government, therefore, decided to reinforce relics protection by stepping up legislation in this regard.

According to the stipulations, any relics of "Dongba Culture" reserved by individuals or public institutions should be registered at local administrative organizations, and any form of transaction of them should be prohibited.

Meanwhile, the county government is also urged to take advantage of the local cultural school to inherit and develop the culture.

Anyone causing damage to the cultural relics should make corresponding compensation or a lawsuit may be filed against that person, according to the regulations.

(People’s Daily 06/13/2001)