This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8354987.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Mining firm 'damages' Great Wall | Mining firm 'damages' Great Wall |
(20 minutes later) | |
A gold mining firm is being investigated after part of one of the oldest sections of the Great Wall of China was damaged during prospecting. | |
About 100 metres of the wall was badly damaged, and investigators from the Chinese government and regional police now plan to bring charges. | |
The damage was originally discovered in September and work halted, but officials later found it had restarted. | The damage was originally discovered in September and work halted, but officials later found it had restarted. |
The damaged section, in Inner Mongolia, dates from the Qin Dynasty (BC221). | The damaged section, in Inner Mongolia, dates from the Qin Dynasty (BC221). |
Hohhot Kekao Mining Company is alleged to have knocked two holes, covering a total area of 300 sq m, through the Wall. | Hohhot Kekao Mining Company is alleged to have knocked two holes, covering a total area of 300 sq m, through the Wall. |
The head of the regional cultural relics bureau, Wang Dafang, told the Associated Press news agency that the damage was "irreparable". | The head of the regional cultural relics bureau, Wang Dafang, told the Associated Press news agency that the damage was "irreparable". |
"Some people think the only part of the Great Wall that needs to be protected is in Beijing," said Mr Wang. | "Some people think the only part of the Great Wall that needs to be protected is in Beijing," said Mr Wang. |
"But although the Inner Mongolia wall is more modest, it carries the same significance." | "But although the Inner Mongolia wall is more modest, it carries the same significance." |
Police in Hohhot City, the capital of Inner Mongolia, are now collecting evidence. Company officials could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. | Police in Hohhot City, the capital of Inner Mongolia, are now collecting evidence. Company officials could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. |
China has special laws to prevent damage to the wall, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site. | China has special laws to prevent damage to the wall, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site. |
Five miners were jailed last year for damaging part of the Inner Mongolia wall, the only people jailed to date under the preservation laws. | Five miners were jailed last year for damaging part of the Inner Mongolia wall, the only people jailed to date under the preservation laws. |
The wall, built by a number of emperors over many centuries, extends in different sections more than 8,850km (5,487 miles) across northern China. | The wall, built by a number of emperors over many centuries, extends in different sections more than 8,850km (5,487 miles) across northern China. |
Previous version
1
Next version