长城不仅需要测量 更需要保护

There has long been confusion and conjecture about the actual length of the Great Wall of China. Actually it's a complicated question because different dynasties built different parts of the great wall and not all of them connect as one.

This week, however, a new survey outlining the first-ever formal measurement of the Great Wall was released by China's 'State Administration of Cultural Heritage.' This survey puts the official length of the wall at a whopping 21,196.18 kilometres.

Wu Jia'an is a Professor of archaeology at the 'Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage' and worked as a lead researcher on the survey. So how does he see this new information ensuring the protection of this iconic structure?

"This survey has laid a foundation for the future protection of the Great Wall. Only when we have comprehensive information about the Great Wall can we begin to discuss how to properly protect it."

The Great Wall was first built more than two thousand, two hundred years ago to fend off foreign invaders and was reinforced and extended many times during later dynasties.

The wall spans fifteen provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities across China and cuts across a diverse range of landscapes and climatic conditions as well. Therefore various challenges face the preservation of this famous landmark.

"The protection issues throughout different regions in China vary. For instance, natural forces, such as wind, rain, frost and thawing, are the main problems for those parts of the wall built in mountains and along hills. For those parts which are close to cities and towns, human activities are the main reasons for damage; activities such as mining, infrastructure development and profit-driven tourism. Some local residents have even taken soil or bricks from the wall, and have planted crops over parts of it. "

The previous measurement of the length of the Great Wall was based on a 2008 preliminary survey that only included structures built during the Ming dynasty. Then the measurement was just over 8,800 kilometres.

The responsibility for the cultural protection of the Great Wall lies with all of us, including those of us who visit or live near it. This is something that Professor Wu Jia'an firmly believes.

"Cultural heritage protection needs not only support from the government but also legal protection and financial input. In fact, input from society as a whole. When the public understands the importance of cultural heritage protection, they won't intentionally damage the Great Wall. We are not only aiming to protect the Great Wall itself, but also the culture of the Great Wall."

Almost everyone knows about China's Great Wall and wants to visit it. Fortunately we now have definitive information which will help ensure the wall's preservation so that future generations too can enjoy this cultural marvel.

For CRI, I'm Jules Page.