The picture taken on June 28, 2004 shows the opening ceremony of the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday called on the international community to strengthen protection of world heritage properties, describing the mission "imperative" to all in the world.

Hu made the remark in a message of congratulation to the opening of the 28th Session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC), which is held in Suzhou in east China's Jiangsu province from June 28 to July 7.

The message was read by Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili at the opening ceremony.

The world heritage protection is "both a lofty historical obligation and a necessary requirement to maintain the continuation of human civilization and realize a sustainable development," he said.

The Chinese president noted that every country has its unique cultural and natural heritages, which are not only a precious legacy of a country or a nationality, but also treasures of mankind.

However, many valuable cultural and natural heritages have beeneroded after a long history or have suffered damages by human activities, while some have even been on the brink of being fully ruined, Hu said.

"It is an imperative task for the international community to strengthen protection of world heritage properties," he said.

Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili (1st, L) delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province June 28, 2004. (Xinhua Photo)

China pledges to expand int'l cooperation

China will further expand international cooperation to ensure full protection and appropriate utilization of cultural and natural heritages, said President Hu.

The convention "has played an important role in guiding the heritage protection work in the world," Hu said.

"All the signatory countries should implement the convention in real earnest manner and learn from the others on the basis of equality and mutual respect so as to better protect the common heritage properties of mankind," Hu said.

Noting that the Chinese government has always shown great concern for the protection of cultural and natural heritages, Hu said that China will further promote the nation's splendid culture, intensify protection of ecological environment and expand international cooperation in the field for the harmonious development between mankind and nature.

Dialogue among civilizations conducive to all nations

Hu said that dialogue among different civilizations is conducive to all countries and nationalities in the world.

"To strengthen dialogues among different civilizations is conducive to mutual understanding and learning among different countries and nationalities, and also helps promote the lofty course of world peace and development," Hu said.

Noting diversity a basic feature of world civilization, Hu pointed out that the progress of human history has been a course of constant exchanges, combination and innovation among different civilizations.

China expects the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to play a greater role in promoting international cultural exchanges, Hu said.

Thanks to endeavor made by all delegations, Hu said he believes the session will score a success and contribute to the development of the colorful human cultures.

In 1972 at the WHC 17th session, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted an International Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Since then, the convention designated sites around the world with outstanding cultural values or unique natural beauty and inscribe them on the World Heritage List.