The 28th Session of the World Heritage Committee Inaugurated in Suzhou

The 28th Session of the World Heritage Committee was inaugurated in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province this morning. President Hu Jintao of the People¡¯s Republic of China sent his written congratulatory remarks. State Councillor Chen Zhili of the People¡¯s Republic of China, UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura and other leaders were present at the Opening Ceremony. The event was chaired by Zhang Xinsheng, Chairman of this Session and Director of Chinese National Commission for UNESCO of China.

State Councillor Chen Zhili read out President Hu Jintao¡¯s written congratulatory remarks to the 28th Session of the World Heritage Committee dated June 28. Hu Jintao said that, during the long process of history, the human society has been left with a rich cultural heritage and the nature has fostered enchanting sceneries. Every country in the world has its unique cultural and natural heritages that not only belong to the country or nation itself, but also is the invaluable wealth of the whole mankind. It has become a task that brooks no delay for the international community to strengthen the protection of the world heritage. It is a sublime responsibility bestowed upon us by the history, and at the same time a necessity for human culture¡¯s continuity and sustainable development.

Hu Jintao believed that under concerted efforts of all the delegations, the Session will surely turn out to be a success and make positive contributions for the human kind¡¯s rich and colorful civilizations.

State Councillor Chen Zhili also addressed at the inaugural session. She said that the Chinese Government has always held that we should respect the diversity of the world¡¯s civilizations and cultures and protect all the world heritages. Over the years, the UNESCO has actively promoted and launched a large number of exchanges and cooperations in international heritage protection field, and has made tremendous contributions for world heritage protection. China is willing to continue and further develop the sound partnerships with the UNESCO and the countries in the world. (By Sun Yuting and Zhou Jianlin)