Great Wall conservation is moving from "rescuing individual sites" toward "systematic protection and comprehensive governance" as China begins its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), an expert said at a major forum on Great Wall preservation in Beijing.

　　Zhang Guanghan, deputy chief planner of the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design, made the remarks at the main forum of the eighth Badaling Great Wall Cultural Forum, held on Sunday in Yanqing district. The annual forum brings together scholars and heritage professionals to discuss Great Wall conservation, cultural heritage interpretation, and sustainable use. This year, it adopted "Protection, Integration and Continuity" as its permanent theme.

　　Speaking on the systematic protection of Great Wall cultural heritage during the next five years, Zhang said the shift requires considering the heritage as a broader system encompassing military settlements, beacon and postal networks, military farming, and historical trade. Rather than applying a single approach across different sections of the monument, conservation strategies should vary according to construction materials, location, and preservation conditions.

　　"Minimal intervention should be the standard," Zhang said, adding that some sections may require restoration, while others may only need reinforcement or measures to slow deterioration. Archaeological research is also needed to understand the historical remains better before decisions are made on conservation and public access.