China’s Great Wall will be protected under the guideline provided by a master plan approved on January 7, an official told a press conference hosted by the State Council Information Office Thursday.

Great Wall built in Qin Dynasty in Qingyang, northwest China's Gansu Province. (File photos: VCG)

Liu Yuzhu, head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, said that the “Great Wall Protection Master Plan” was jointly developed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the National Cultural Heritage Administration, to set up a long-term task and to provide important follow-up actions.

“The provinces are urged to continue stepping up efforts to protect the Great Wall,” Liu said.

The master plan defines the working principles, objectives, content and management requirements of the Great Wall Protection Heritage.

The plan also said the protection work will focus on those built during the Qin, Han and Ming Dynasties.

The management will be carried out in a classification system aligned with different protection solutions.

Both government leadership and social participation are necessary in protection work, Liu stressed.

The central government will develop policies and measures to encourage local governments while looking into creating public welfare posts for the Great Wall protection program.

Volunteers are welcome to work with associations on Great Wall public service. Enterprises are covered in the master plan for fund raising, Liu added.

(Cover image: Ancient Great Wall in Baotou, North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.)