China steps protection of cultural relics in 2018

China has stepped up supervision on cultural relics protection by carrying out over 240,000 law enforcement inspections and more than 340,000 security checks in 2018, according to a recent report from the National Cultural Heritage Administration.

Workers install scaffolds for the examination work of the Leshan Giant Buddha in Leshan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 19, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

A total of 1,467 law violations were found during the inspections conducted by administrative departments and law enforcement agencies of cultural relics at all levels in 2018.

The "12359" reporting platform received more than 2,000 tips regarding suspected law violations relating to cultural relics last year.

Nearly 550,000 units of cultural relics were examined in the security checks carried out by administrative departments of cultural relics at all levels in 2018, according to the administration.

In 2018, a total of 1,221 cultural relic-related crimes were handled, more than 2,000 suspects were caught in such cases, and 8,440 pieces of historical artifacts were retrieved.

A batch of violations endangering World Cultural Heritages, cultural heritages from revolutionary times, as well as the security and environment of the Great Wall were resolved during this period.

China's cultural relics still face security problems and hidden dangers, including inadequate administrative law enforcement staff at prefecture and county levels, electrical fire hazards and antiquated and noneffective protection facilities, the administration said.