Once the center of China's water transportation network, the Grand Canal connecting Beijing and Hangzhou has become a striking symbol of the problems brought about by modernization.

Constructed in AD 610 under the orders of Sui Dynasty Emperor Yang Guang, the Grand Canal served for more than 1300 years as the main route for transferring rice and other goods from the fertile Yangtze region to the dusty northern plains.

However, with the advent of modern transport technology, the waterway declined, and some parts began falling into disrepair.

In recent years, rapid economic development has further endangered the canal, with some northern sections completely drying up or falling prey to the problems brought about by excessive land cultivation and urban sprawl.

A group of 200 experts and officials have now joined forces to call for improved protection of the canal, to help it meet standards for World Heritage status.

"The Grand Canal indisputably has outstanding and universal value and is an important embodiment of Chinese culture. However, the current conditions in the canal still need to improve before applying to become a World Heritage Site," said Chen Kuiyuan, vice-president of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Chen was speaking at the three-day Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal Protection and Application of World Heritage Site Symposium in Hangzhou, capital city of East China's Zhejiang Province yesterday.

Chen guided an inspection group composed of members of the National Committee of the CPPCC and experts starting on May 12 along the Grand Canal from Beijing to Hangzhou, to assess the current canal conditions.

"I am delighted to see that leaders of cities along the canal have all expressed their willingness to contribute to the World Heritage application," said Chen.

Although various sections of the canal have in the past applied for State-level protection on account of particular cultural relics, there has never been a unified planning and management mechanism to oversee the whole canal, said Chen.

"We should prevent relevant historical and cultural relics, ecological conditions and natural scenes along the Grand Canal from disappearing," said 82-year-old Luo Zhewen, president of China Cultural Relics Academy.

Besides natural and cultural heritage, some intangible heritage such as local operas, legends and folk customs linked with the canal are also at risk, Luo added.

As the canal passes through several administrative areas, the central government should co-ordinate the formation of an overall research and protection mechanism, Luo said.

The 1,794-kilometer-long canal is the world's oldest and longest human-made waterway.

It starts in Tongxian County in Beijing and ends in Hangzhou. The project links five major natural rivers in China, the Haihe River, the Yellow River, the Huaihe River, the Yangtze River and the Qiantang River, and six provinces.

(China Daily May 23, 2006)