"Beijing's construction sites contain so many cultural relics!" Qi Dong, vice director of the Cultural Relics Investigation Department of Beijing Cultural Heritage Bureau, said.

    It is estimated that 80% of archeological excavation projects that China approve every year relate with infrastructures' constructions. Hundreds of cultural relics can be found in Beijing alone every year, but less than half are reported to the authorities for the record.

    Beijing City originated in 1045 BC. In Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC) pricipalities like Yan and Ji set up county in Beijing. It developed as a crucial strategic town in Tang dynasties.

    Later it became the alternate capital for Liao and Jin dynasties, and the imperial capital for Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, totally lasting for 1,000 years. The 700 years history of Beijing as the national capital of Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties particularly combined the essence of China's ancient city planning and constructions, leaving a wealth of cultural heritages there. Moreover, many cultural relics are buried in the suburbs of Beijing.

    The statistics shows that Beijing's newly planned area for real estate developments in the first quarter of 2006 are 5.7 times than last year's, and most of them are located outside the Fifth Ring Road. It means Beijing’s suburbs have to face excavation. Meanwhile, many cultural relics buried underground have to be cleared up.

    (Source: Chinanews.cn)