MAYORS and other government officials from 10 countries agreed in Shenzhen on Thursday (Nov 3) to play a more active role in the protection of cultural heritage.

The officials, participating in the International Summit of Mayor Associations and Local Government Organizations, signed the Shenzhen Consensus on the protection of cultural heritage at the summit held at Jinhui Jasper Hotel in Shenzhen.

The officials also shared their experiences in cultural heritage protection at the one-day summit.

"Protecting cultural relics is the obligation of city builders," said Wang Guangtao, Chinese minister of construction.

"Shenzhen would not only try to protect its cultural relics, but also attach great importance to form cultural characteristics of its own," said Shenzhen Vice Mayor Lu Ruifeng.

Representatives from Austria, Australia, Bulgaria, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Sweden and Turkey were present.

Erich Prambock, secretary general of Austrian Association of Cities and Towns, said heritage protection had greatly helped the country's tourism and that the old city had become the second biggest reason for people to visit Vienna.

Paul Dixelius, a Swedish representative, said his government would try to retain the appearance of building clusters that were formed naturally rather than through planning. "It is such area that makes a city unique," said Dixelius.

Editor: Wing