CRI听力:Chinese Historic Monuments of Dengfeng Added to World Heritage List

The historic monuments of Dengfeng in central China's Henan province have been added to the World Cultural Heritage List. These include the Shaolin Temple, which is renowned for its Kungfu monks.

The UNESCO's World Heritage Committee made the decision at its 34th meeting in Brasilia.

Tong Mingkang, deputy chief of China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage led the Chinese delegation.

"With this new addition, China has 39 sites on the world heritage list, maintaining its 3rd position. It has also kept a record. For many years, China has been the only country able to have a site added to the world heritage list every year."

The historic monuments of Dengfeng in what is called "The Center of Heaven and Earth", are located in and around Mount Songshan in Henan Province.

The complex consists of 13 ancient structures and sites, such as Shaolin Temple, Songyang Academy, Taishi,(Tiesher) Shaoshi (showsher) and Qimu (Chimoo) Towers and the pagoda of the Songyue (Songyouer) Temple.

Gustavo Araoz President of the International Council on Monuments and Sites is pleased with the addition,

"I think it's a great time for celebration, and I congratulate all the Chinese people for this great accomplishment."

Chair of last years World Heritage Committee, Christina Cameron, also acknowledged China's efforts.

"China has created a very important institute of research and study on world heritage for the conservation over the long term. That's a really nice development, and I'm very pleased for China."

This year, a total of 32 other sites were looking for World Heritage status.

Southeastern Danxia beauty spot and the West Lake in China's eastern Hangzhou city among them.

The World Heritage List has 890 sites of "outstanding universal value," around the world.