Macao vows to protect world heritage sites

The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Fernando Chui Sai On, said today the Government would continue to protect its precious world heritage sites by reviewing current regulations and educating the public to become more preservation-conscious. Speaking on preservation, Mr Chui said that the Government would fully abide by the regulations in the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (''World Heritage Convention'') and would listen to suggestions of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. He said the sites were ''part of the life and honour'' of Macao residents and the Government would not charge fees to view the sites. Mr Chui said that the key to protecting the historic sites was not in the control of visitors, but to formulate a plan, which has been drafted and presently being circulated to various departments for their views. The Government was reviewing the laws and regulations aimed at protecting the heritage and would continue to promote preservation to the residents, he said. It was also planned to include the knowledge of world heritage into the curriculum of local schools. The Secretary is scheduled to attend a meeting of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in early October to exchange views on the protection of Macao’s heritage. ''The Historic Centre of Macao'' was inscribed into the World Heritage List of UNESCO in the 29th Session of the World Heritage Committee in July.