Cultural heritage authorities confirmed Tuesday that a section of the Great Wall in Northeast China's Liaoning Province has been paved with cement during restoration, after a public outcry over potential damage to the historical site.
An inspection team formed by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH) said at a press conference that Liaoning's administration of cultural heritage used cement for the restoration of the heritage site, paving a 780-meter-long section of the Xiaohekou Great Wall in Suizhong county, the Beijing Times reported Tuesday.
This specific section of the Great Wall is a national historical and the cultural site, and was built in 1381 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Moreover, it is known as the "most beautiful section of the Great Wall" among tourists for its serene environment.
Song Xinchao, deputy head of the SACH, said that the SACH will punish institutions and individuals responsible for the incident, according to the report.
A joint inspection team of the SACH and Liaoning government on Friday began evaluation of the restoration plan and construction after a public anger fuelled by viral pictures showing the Great Wall paved with cement.
Many angry netizens called it a "sacrilege" of the iconic historical heritage rather than protection.
Chen Shushi, the planner of the restoration from Liaoning's administration of cultural heritage, denied using cement on his Sina Weibo on Monday, claiming that the material used was clay and lime.
The SACH also asked Liaoning authorities to reorganize the pool of experts to solve problems in the restoration, while suggesting 15 provinces alongside the Great Wall launch projects to address problems associated with the preservation of the Wall. The restoration work on the Xiaohekou Great Wall started in 2013 and completed in 2014, previous report said.
