Great Wall law

A law on the preservation of the Great Wall is expected to be passed before the end of this year, Xinhua has reported.

Under the new regulation, different sections of the Great Wall will be managed by the central government. Maintenance of the wall is now being handled by local governments and Xinhua described the situation as 'chaotic'.

Experts were conducting a final review of the law and it was expected to be passed by the State Council at the end of this year, said Dong Yaohui , general secretary of the China Great Wall Association. A report issued by the association in 2002 said less than 20 per cent of the Great Wall built during the Ming dynasty remained intact.