Suzhou, a picturesque city in east China's Jiangsu Province, has
expressed a strong desire to host the 28th Conference of the World
Heritage Committee next year.
Suzhou was originally designated to host this year's 27th
Conference of the World Heritage Committee. However, due to the
impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
on China, the event was moved to Paris.
"We feel a great regret about the change," said Suzhou Mayor Yang
Weize.
As
a matter of fact, there has been not a single SARS patient in
Suzhou, he added.
The city, once designated as the venue for the 27th Conference, had
made all the necessary preparations, including importing office
equipment from Japan and the Netherlands and training security
personnel and tourist guides.
"Though we missed the opportunity to host the conference,"
Yangsaid, "we will do our utmost to protect our cultural heritage
and improve our urban environment."
Teenagers in Suzhou recently mailed 1,750 postcards to member
states of the World Heritage Committee. The postcards bore the
message "World heritage is on my mind" set against an image
portraying environmental protection.
(Xinhua News Agency June 29, 2003)