Stop the Destruction of the Great Wall: Two Construction Workers Charged with Damaging Cultural Relic

 

Great wall of china damaged by excavator (Photo: Twitter)

The Great Wall of China, a historic monument and national symbol with a history spanning over 2,000 years, has recently suffered significant damage. The sections that remain today were mostly built during the Ming Dynasty, and less than 10% of these are well-preserved. In recent years, around 30% of the Great Wall has disappeared due to challenging climate conditions and reckless human activities, including stealing bricks to build houses.

A recent incident has further contributed to the deterioration of this iconic structure. Two construction workers, a 38-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman, were arrested in the northern Shanxi province for causing irreversible damage to the Great Wall. They used an excavator to widen an existing gap in the wall, creating a shortcut for their work nearby. This act resulted in a gaping hole in the wall, severely damaging its integrity and safety. The suspects were detained after local authorities followed tracks made by the machinery used to dig through the wall.

The Great Wall of China

This is not the first instance of human activity causing harm to the Great Wall. In 2021, three visitors were detained and fined for scrawling on the famous Badaling section of the wall with a sharp object. Additionally, residents living near the wall have been known to allow their livestock to graze on it, causing the bricks and earth to collapse over time. Some even take bricks and stones from the wall for personal use, such as building houses or sheep pens.

Despite these challenges, efforts are being made to protect and preserve the Great Wall. In 2006, the Chinese government implemented regulations for its protection, ensuring all sections of the wall across different provinces are safeguarded. Many popular sections, like Badaling, Mutianyu, and Juyongguan, have already been restored and are under protection. Trees and vegetation have also been planted in rural areas to mitigate the harm caused by natural disasters. However, the recent incident involving the excavator serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threats to this historic monument.