Section of China’s Great Wall ‘paved over’ by local heritage bureau
It survived centuries of onslaught, but the fortification is no match for government restoration experts, who reportedly approved heavy use of lime to hold together loosening bricks
A section of China’s Great Wall has been “repaired” with what appears to be cement, stoking concerns over how the nation is safeguarding its cultural wealth.
The restoration work was carried out by the government of Suizhong county on the border of Liaoning and Hebei provinces.
As is the case in many rural areas through which the wall passes, bricks had come loose and the structure was at risk of collapsing, especially during heavy rain, the Beijing Youth Daily reported.
The county’s cultural relics bureau had received approval for the project from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, the report quoted a bureau staff member as saying. He said lime was used to repair a stretch in Xiaokekou village and all the steps were reasonable and legal.
The report quoted a villager as saying the work covered a 2km section and was completed two years ago.