Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Miners accused of destroying part of Great Wall of China
It was built to keep out foreign invaders, but apparently the Great Wall of China can't protect itself from the greed of Chinese corporations.The Hohhot Kekao Mining Co. is accused of destroying 330 ft (100 m) of China's most famous structure while prospecting for gold. The damage occurred in Inner Mongolia, where the company is prospecting. This stretch of the wall is one of the oldest, dating to the Qin Dynasty (221-207 B.C.).
This isn't the first time the Wall has been damaged. Local farmers often steal stones for building materials, much like what happened to parts of Hadrian's Wall in England, and last year five miners were sentenced to up to three years in jail for damaging the Wall while operating heavy machinery nearby. Officials said those responsible for the new damage could face up to ten years because of the greater amount of destruction.
As China goes through its Industrial Revolution, its cultural heritage faces greater threats. The Industrial Revolution in England destroyed many of that country's ancient buildings and stone circles, and the expansion of St. Louis, Missouri, in the nineteenth century destroyed virtually all trace of a prehistoric Native American town. St. Louis used to be called "Mound City" because of the numerous prehistoric earthen mounds there, but now only one survives. it would be nice if China could learn from other countries' mistakes.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Asia, China, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Emily Allen Nov 12th 2009 4:18AM
That's funny, I usually read about minors destroying and defacing walls.
Kevin Nov 13th 2009 12:10PM
You should learn to read and spell. The title to the article said minERs, not minORs!
antboog15 Nov 13th 2009 12:16PM
That went right over your head, huh Kevin?
myspace.com/OwenEff
Hip Hops Breath of Fresh Air!
Admiral Nov 13th 2009 6:27AM
And in that vein...were any of these minors caught smoking????
(Word play, got to love it!)
ANN Nov 13th 2009 8:52AM
It's a fence, don't be so hyper, so what if it all came down. Oh, China would lose tourist money.
Kay Williams Nov 13th 2009 8:52AM
Your comment is a tragic commentary on the attitudes of those who do not value history and culture. Last year I was in China and stood on the Great Wall. I also experienced the joy of communicating with Chinese people in ways other than a common language. We are connected with those around around the world in a deep and profound way. If there is ever to be peace, we will have to find our connections and respect the culture and history of all.
Liam Nov 13th 2009 12:32PM
You are a good example of what is wrong with America. Indifference with other cultures, fear of the unknown, ignorance, intoleration, prejudice and all covered with sarcasm and a joke.
The USA is a melting pot of immigrants. Besides the original "indians" no one in the USA is from there. The Spanish were there in 16 century and since then part of it has been controlled by the English and French. In the past 150 years it has been torn apart by civil war and has seen millions immigrate to it's coastal cities to live and build the country. Chinese, Blacks, Mexican's, Polish, Irish, Scotish, German, Philippino, Japanese and Korea. Not to mention South Americans from Brazil, Paraguay, Columbia, Chile, and central Americans from Panama, Costa Rica. Don't forget the Puerto Rican's, Dominicans and the Cubans. Also the Haitians.
How can one group be so condesending of another in the USA?
If you were Chinese, German, French or English then maybe you could say something. After all they all have a country, a language, a tribe/people and a history in that country. Look at the Chinese. They have a country for 3000 years, their language has been there since the beginning, they have a tribe of recognisable people (Chinese) and a history that is a rich combination of the above. Same with England, Germany, France etc...
What has the USA got? We all speak another countries language, our country is less than 230 years old with virtually no history in the scheme of things, we are a mix of hundreds of different peoples from different places....
The fact is the American can not say anything. As it has no real people, history or language. This is the reason people are so insecure and so hateful. People who are comfortable in who they are and who their people have been, are more secure. People that don't know where they fit in are the one's trying to convince you they are better than you or you are beneath them......
Insecurity is not an attractive quality
Kev Nov 13th 2009 12:18PM
Liam, I am of 100% Scots descent, I am as much an original American as any indian as I was born here! You say, "The USA is a melting pot of immigrants. Besides the original "indians" no one in the USA is from there." Referring to America, the indian's ancestors came from Asia, they are not indigenous to America! Refering to the US, the Original citizens of the US were White European Caucasians! And, European Caucasians came to the Americas 35,000 years before the indian's ancestors!
Bosco Nov 13th 2009 9:28AM
Corporate greed is no different in US or China. Hutongs, limestone cliffs and clean air vs Arctic wildlife, family farms, strip mining and clean air. Look familiar?
ycav4424 Nov 13th 2009 9:46AM
China should of loaned us enough of the wall for our borders. Then we might not have needed all of the money that was borrowed to stop the drugs and support the illegal invaders. We could of been out of debt by now if we didn't have those two problems.
Karen Nov 13th 2009 10:12AM
Finally one you speaks the same thoughts as me. To bad people who are in the situation to do something about (politicians) saving this American heritage are working for the lobbyest and not the people who voted them in instead of going for (personal agenda's) greed once their elected. We as voters also let this happen by electing the same ones who we see have done nothing. I feel no elected to office should serve more then a certain amount of years in service. Also the only office I feel you should be able to run for is a representative in your city or town not and Government office if your not born in this country. All of a sudden people seem to go more for the origin of their ancestory. I always wondered why it became correct to say your ancestory first instead of American if you were born here. Portuguese American, Africian,American French American etc.Instead I am of American of French Ancestory.
Mark Nov 13th 2009 11:36AM
The problem I have with this article, is that the picture is of the small portion of the wall that has been restored. The entire great wall is not still standing in pristine condition, only portions of the wall are still as the photo represents ( at least this was the case in 2001 when I toured it). However, I did not tour the referenced section in inner mongolia but did see unrestored sections of the wall.
If a photo of the wall is included, then the writers should get a picture of the damaged area, before and after.
Sean McLachlan Nov 13th 2009 10:14AM
That would be ideal, but at the moment there are no pictures available to us of the damaged portion of the Wall. Hopefully some will become available, and we will certainly post them if they do.
Bluesdog Nov 13th 2009 10:38AM
"The fact is the American can not say anything. As it has no real people, history or language. "....You are such a pompous fool. What are Native Americans? They are the "REAL PEOPLE" of this continent. Everyone else is an invader. Get off your high horse. Your entire premise is incorrect.
Mark Nov 13th 2009 11:41AM
Anyone BORN here is a native american. Look up the word "native."
roy foreman Nov 13th 2009 10:38AM
I had a chance to see the wall outside of the Grand Canyon maybe the greatest wonder in the world even though parts are not in the greatest of condition and even though it was built on the backs of many it just shows you what working together can accomplish .We should all take a lesson
rlau Nov 13th 2009 11:19AM
Ask me if I give a shit. Let it all fall apart like the crap they're exporting to the US. LOL
mitch Nov 13th 2009 11:01AM
Maybe they can build our wall in the USA...We both have something in common it was a invader thats destroying them, its from within...
carol Nov 13th 2009 11:53AM
They should be made to pay a big fine. A billion dollars to start with. This is terrible. The Great Wall is part of history.
dr.sausage Nov 13th 2009 12:12PM
I WAS ABOUT OT PRAISE LIAM, THEN I GOT TO BLUESDOG'S LOGIC.WE REAL AMERICANS DO FORGET THAT THEY ARE ALL FOREIGNERS.IF YOUR FIFTH OLD COUNTRY GRANDFATHER WAS BORN HERE, YOU'RE STILL A FOREIGNER.KOLBASA NEVER LEAVES YOU.SAME FOR CANADA, ALL REFUGEES.