An aerial drone photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows Xuguo stone archway in Huizhou ancient town of Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

　　Shexian's ancient walls, together with 13 other ancient walls in China, have been placed under a project of application for the UNESCO World Heritage List.

　　Nationally, China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) channels more funds, digital monitoring and specialist training to every heritage site.

　　A revised Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics, adopted in November 2024 and effective this March, increases fines and opens new channels for public reporting of damage.

　　Since 2017, China's annual Cultural and Natural Heritage Day each June has staged drills and virtual tours; the 2024 edition highlighted disaster risk reduction.

　　This photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows fish-shaped lanterns on the ancient walls of Huizhou ancient town in Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

　　An aerial drone photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows a view of Huizhou ancient town in Shexian County, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

　　Shexian hopes closer links with Bamberg, which has launched a World Heritage Festival to trade ideas worldwide, will sharpen its skills.

　　“One day, China's World Heritage sites will be again in focus -- and that would be truly wonderful,“ said von Eyb.