To date, from around the world there are 754 on the list, including 582 cultural sites, 149 natural sites and 23 which fit both categories.

China's 29 sites on the list include four natural sites, 21 cultural sites and four of which fall under both.

During the past 10 years the listed sites have become very popular destinations for tourists. This has, however, created conflict between preservation and economic benefits.

How to preserve the original beauty and how to balance the conflict between protection and economic gain have worried many scholars.

"We should improve the management of the world heritage sites," said Xie Ninggao, director of the Research Center of World Heritage at Peking University. He suggested a state-level administration be set up to oversee management of the sites instead of the current system under which either local government or different departments control the sites.

There are 151 state-level scenic spots in the country, of which only three are under the supervision of the Ministry of Construction, said Xie.

"What has threatened them most is the excessive development of tourism," he said. Due to the ignorance of those decision-makers who only had an eye for the immediate economic benefits, some scenic spots surrounding these sites have been badly damaged by increasing numbers of luxury hotels and shops, and other tourist facilities.

Commercializing and urbanizing these world heritage sites will severely damage them, resulting in grave consequences, Xie contends.

"If nothing is done to change the situation, it is possible these sites will soon end upon the endangered World Heritage list," he said.

Xu Songling, a research fellow with the Environment and Development Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said: "Not only do we need top-quality management, but also scientific and professional ways to preserve the heritage sites."

He urged that certain regulations and laws should be drafted to guide the protection.

Education is another important approach to preservation, argued a signed article which appeared in the July 4 edition of China Cultural Relics News. The article wrote, we should let people realize that bidding for the World Heritage List does not simply mean an opportunity of making money. Heritage belongs to mankind.

(China Daily July 14, 2003)