The Great Wall stands as a symbol of the Chinese nation and a significant emblem of Chinese civilization. Due to natural erosion and illegal activities such as theft and excavation, parts of the Great Wall have been visibly altered in recent years, with severe damage and collapse occurring in some areas. In response, China's procuratorial authorities have leveraged their public interest litigation function to safeguard this iconic structure.
In 2024, with strong support from cultural heritage authorities, procuratorial authorities in 15 provincial-level regions along the Great Wall launched a public interest litigation campaign for protecting the Great Wall.
This campaign has resulted in the handling of 675 public interest litigation cases, the issuance of 469 procuratorial recommendations, and the filing of 43 lawsuits. In addition, 846 Great Wall sites have been protected, 4,051 protection steles and boundary markers erected, and 467 Great Wall protectors added.
Furthermore, 53,000 square meters of illegal buildings and structures within protected areas have been cleared, and the ecological environment of 729,000 square meters within the Great Wall area has been restored.
Such efforts have addressed the problems related to the Great Wall's structure, landscape, display and utilization, fostering broader consensus on the co-governance of Great Wall protection.
First, efforts have been made to strengthen the protection of the Great Wall's structure.
The protection of the Great Wall's structure is a top priority, with a key goal being the preservation of the integrity of its structure and continuity of its value. Investigations have revealed instances of intentional destruction, illegal excavation and occupation of the Great Wall, with some sections showing cracks and severe tilting, and posing imminent collapse risks.
Procuratorial authorities have taken actions to enhance protection of the structure of the Great Wall through public interest litigation. In some areas, illegal construction projects within the Great Wall's protection area and construction control zones, such as tourist sites, prefabricated houses, watchtowers, signal towers, farms, and buildings, have been dismantled through coordinated efforts by procuratorial authorities and administrative agencies. These actions addressed significant issues that severely affect the historical landscape of the Great Wall.
Second, efforts have been made to promote the implementation of the guidelines for Great Wall protection released by the National Cultural Heritage Administration.
The guidelines serve as the foundation and guarantee for the nation's efforts in protection and management of the Great Wall, including delineating protection scopes and construction control zones, erecting protection signs, establishing record archives, and setting up specialized protection management agencies and personnel.
However, it was revealed during the case handling that the implementation of the guidelines is inadequate in some areas, undermining protection efforts. Procuratorial authorities have urged complying with requirements set out in the guidelines through public interest litigation to ensure a more effective protection framework.
Third, efforts have been made to advance standardization of the protective restoration of the Great Wall.
Some regions have been found to have violated provisions in relevant legal documents such as the Great Wall Protection Regulations and the Cultural Relics Protection Engineering Management Measures, compromising the Great Wall's historical landscape and cultural value.
In such circumstances, procuratorial authorities have intervened to standardize protective restoration practices through public interest litigation, ensuring that repairs adhere to legal and cultural preservation standards.
Fourth, efforts have been made to enhance collaboration in Great Wall protection.
Inconsistent law enforcement standards and poor information exchanges have hindered collaboration between adjacent regions and relevant agencies. Procuratorial authorities have addressed these challenges through public interest litigation to strengthen cooperation and coordination in Great Wall protection efforts.
Moving forward, procuratorial organs vow to continue to collaborate with relevant administrative departments, and adopt a multi-faceted approach to further enhance the protection and utilization of the Great Wall, with greater efforts in cultural heritage protection and restoration, as well as exploring new paths for the Great Wall's preservation and utilization in the digital era.
