国内英语新闻:Global experts stress protecting cultural heritage at World Expo's theme forum

SUZHOU, Jiangsu, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Scholars and officials stressed the importance of protecting cultural heritage at the World Expo's second theme forum which opened in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province on Saturday.

Culture remains the soul of a city and urban residents not only need to ensure that traffic moves smoothly, infrastructure projects are completed and their economic futures are secure, but they must also protect their cities' diversified cultures, noted Minister of Culture Cai Wu.

The country's urbanization has improved people's lives, but also resulted in problems such as a disappearing cultural heritage and the sometimes monotonous appearance of cities, Cai said.

"If it goes on like that, it will certainly impede the growth of a city or a country and reduce the quality of people's lives," Cai warned.Further, globalization was causing more pressure to protect the nation's cultural heritage, said Sha Zukang, head of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Cultural heritage protection should focus on providing a diversified culture rather than a monotonous culture, Sha said.

With the theme focusing on cultural heritage and urban regeneration, the two-day forum was co-organized by the Ministry of Culture, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, the Executive Committee of Expo 2010 Shanghai China, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the government of Suzhou.

The forum has attracted nearly 800 participants from some 20 countries and regions, as well as international organizations.

Participants to the forum include Deputy Director-General of UNESCO Hans d' Orville and the French architect and designer of China's National Center for the Performing Arts, Paul Andreu.

A total of 189 countries have sponsored pavilions at the six-month Shanghai World Expo, whose theme is "Better City, Better Life".