A delegation led by Liu Qibao, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visited Huai'an City from April 13 to 15 and inspected the city's efforts to promote the development of the Grand Canal Cultural Belt.

As the streets were lit in the evening, the cultural corridor along the Li Canal, part of the Grand Canal, became a favorite place for entertainment and fitness. Cultural relics such as Guoshi Tower, Qingjiangpu Tower and Qingjiang Sluice Gate reveal the rich history of the vast waterway.

Liu said Li Canal is a classic example of transforming flood danger into a water conservancy project. He also said it's a milestone for the Grand Canal to be recognized as a UNESCO world culture heritage and more efforts are needed to make the waterway even more beautiful, promote other projects through scientific planning, and give full play to the function of the Grand Canal in order to benefit the society and people.

The Hongze Lake embankment has a history of more than 1,800 years. In 2014, as one of the 58 heritage sites of the Grand Canal, the embankment officially became a world cultural heritage.

Liu Qibao paid visits to historical sites such as the Hongze Lake Monument and Zhouqiao Datang, and was briefed about the inheritance and preservation of cultural relics as well as ecological environment protection. Liu said the embankment has embodied elaborate craftsmanship that is worth learning from.

Huang Lixin, chairwoman of the Jiangsu Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Hong Huimin, vice chairman of the committee, Yang Feng, secretary general of the committee as well as Huai'an leaders including Yao Xiaodong, Cai Lixin, Wang Weikai and Li Sen jointed the inspection tour.

Source:jschina.com.cn