Regulations on the Protection and Management of the World Heritage Site "Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China"

　　Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Fujian Province

　　Decision on the Approval of the "Regulations on the Protection and Management of the World Heritage Site 'Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China'"

　　(Approved at the 7th Session of the Standing Committee of the 14th People’s Congress of Fujian Province on November 23, 2023)

　　At its 7th Session, the Standing Committee of the 14th People’s Congress of Fujian Province reviewed and approved the "Regulations on the Protection and Management of the World Heritage Site 'Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China.'" These regulations were deemed consistent with higher laws and were subsequently approved for issuance. The regulations will be promulgated by the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Quanzhou and take effect as of January 1, 2024.

　　Announcement by the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Quanzhou

　　[No. 17] No. 3

　　The "Regulations on the Protection and Management of the World Heritage Site 'Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China'" were adopted at the 15th meeting of the 17th Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Quanzhou on October 20, 2023, and approved by the 7th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th People’s Congress of Fujian Province on November 23, 2023. These regulations are hereby announced and will come into effect on January 1, 2024.

　　Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Quanzhou

　　November 30, 2023

　　Table of Contents

　　· Chapter 1: General Principles

　　· Chapter 2: Protection and Management

　　· Chapter 3: Revitalization and Utilization

　　· Chapter 4: Legal Responsibility

　　· Chapter 5: Supplementary Provisions

　　Chapter I: General Principles

　　Article 1:

　　In order to strengthen the protection and management of the "Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China" World Heritage Site (hereinafter referred to as "Quanzhou World Heritage"), promote the preservation of Quanzhou’s historical and cultural heritage, enhance the role of World Heritage in economic and social development, and establish a model for heritage protection and sustainable use, these regulations are enacted in accordance with the "Cultural Relics Protection Law of the People's Republic of China," the "Fujian Province Cultural Relics Protection and Management Regulations," and other relevant laws and regulations. They also take into account the unique circumstances of Quanzhou city.

　　Article 2:

　　These regulations apply to the protection, management, utilization, and related activities of the Quanzhou World Heritage within the administrative boundaries of the city.

　　The "Quanzhou World Heritage" refers to the series of heritage sites listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the title "Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China," comprising 22 representative historic sites (hereinafter referred to as "heritage sites") and their surrounding environments.

　　Article 3:

　　The protection and management of the Quanzhou World Heritage must adhere to the principles of prioritizing preservation, strengthening management, maximizing heritage value, and facilitating sustainable utilization. It should follow the principles of unified planning, centralized management, clearly defined responsibilities, and coordinated efforts to maintain the authenticity, integrity, and continuity of the heritage.

　　Article 4:

　　The municipal government and the people’s governments of the counties (cities, districts) where the heritage sites are located are responsible for the protection and management of the Quanzhou World Heritage within their administrative regions, formulating protection policies, improving the protection system, establishing a sound working mechanism, securing the necessary manpower, and integrating heritage protection into the national economic and social development plan, territorial space planning, government performance evaluation system, and leadership assessment system.

　　The people’s governments of the towns (sub-district offices) where the heritage sites are located shall, in accordance with regulations, carry out relevant work on the protection and management of the Quanzhou World Heritage within their jurisdiction.

　　They shall guide and support the village (community) committees in the heritage site areas to legally organize the formulation of village regulations, residents’ conventions, establish mass protection organizations, and participate in the protection of the Quanzhou World Heritage.

　　Article 5

　　The cultural heritage administrative departments of the municipal government and the people’s governments of the counties (cities, districts) where the heritage sites are located shall supervise, manage, and provide guidance on the protection and utilization of the Quanzhou World Heritage in their respective administrative regions.

　　The relevant authorities such as development and reform, education, ethnic and religious affairs, public security, finance, natural resources and planning, ecological environment, housing and urban-rural construction, transportation, agriculture and rural affairs, forestry, water conservancy, culture and tourism, maritime affairs, market supervision, urban management, emergency management, earthquake, and meteorology, as well as institutions such as fire rescue, hydrology, maritime management, port management, and scenic area management shall perform their respective duties in the protection and management of the Quanzhou World Heritage.

　　Article 6

　　The municipal government and the people’s governments of the counties (cities, districts) where the heritage sites are located shall establish a coordination mechanism for the protection and management of the Quanzhou World Heritage, to address major issues in heritage protection, management, and utilization; designate the heritage protection institution at the municipal or county level to be responsible for the protection, management, utilization, research, interpretation, and exhibition of the Quanzhou World Heritage within their jurisdiction.

　　Article 7

　　The municipal government and the people’s governments of the counties (cities, districts) where the heritage sites are located shall include the funding required for the protection and management of the Quanzhou World Heritage in their respective fiscal budgets.

　　Based on need, the municipal government and the people’s governments of the counties (cities, districts) where the heritage sites are located may establish the Quanzhou World Heritage Protection and Management Fund, raising funds through government investment, tourism revenues, social donations, and other methods.

　　The Quanzhou World Heritage Protection and Management Fund shall be separately accounted for and used exclusively for the protection, management, utilization of the Quanzhou World Heritage, and rewards to organizations and individuals in accordance with relevant regulations, and shall be subject to supervision by the finance and auditing departments.

　　Article 8

　　The municipal government shall establish a consultancy expert pool for the Quanzhou World Heritage, composed of experts and scholars in fields such as cultural relics protection, history and culture, planning, architecture, archaeology, landscape, tourism, and law, to provide advice and technical guidance on the protection, management, and utilization of the heritage.

　　Article 9

　　Any unit or individual has the obligation to protect the Quanzhou World Heritage in accordance with the law and has the right to stop or report any act that damages the Quanzhou World Heritage.

　　They shall guide and support the establishment of public welfare organizations for the Quanzhou World Heritage, encourage public welfare organizations and volunteers to participate in heritage protection, and engage in volunteer services such as civilizing guidance, tour interpretation, and knowledge dissemination.

　　Units and individuals who make outstanding contributions to the protection, management, and utilization of the Quanzhou World Heritage shall be recognized or rewarded by the municipal government or the people’s governments of the counties (cities, districts) where the heritage sites are located in accordance with relevant regulations.

　　Chapter II: Protection and Management

　　Article 10 The people's governments of the city and the county (city, district) where the heritage site is located shall separately organize the preparation of the Quanzhou World Heritage Protection and Management Plan and the Heritage Site Cultural Relics Protection Special Plan, and submit them for approval in accordance with the law.

　　The Quanzhou World Heritage Protection and Management Plan shall clearly define the heritage protection zones, including specific boundaries and management requirements. The protection zones shall consist of a heritage area and a buffer zone, with the possibility of designating a landscape control zone where necessary.

　　All units and individuals must strictly implement the Quanzhou World Heritage Protection and Management Plan and the Heritage Site Cultural Relics Protection Special Plan, and are prohibited from altering or modifying them without authorization. Any required adjustments or modifications must follow the procedures for planning and be approved by the original approving authority.

　　When preparing the city's national economic and social development plans, land spatial plans, ecological civilization construction plans, scenic area protection plans, protection plans for historical and cultural cities, towns, villages, traditional villages, and historic cultural districts, they must align with the Quanzhou World Heritage Protection and Management Plan and the Heritage Site Cultural Relics Protection Special Plan.

　　Article 11 The city's heritage protection authority shall, once every five years, commission a third-party professional agency to conduct a periodic evaluation of the implementation of the Quanzhou World Heritage Protection and Management Plan. The evaluation results shall be compiled into a special report and serve as an important basis for deciding whether to continue, adjust, or amend the plan.

　　Article 12 The municipal department in charge of natural resources and planning shall work with relevant cultural heritage authorities to prepare specific construction control guidelines based on the Quanzhou World Heritage Protection and Management Plan, and submit them for approval in accordance with the law.

　　The construction control guidelines shall detail the classification and hierarchical control measures for construction activities in the heritage area, buffer zone, and landscape control zone, and set specific control criteria for building style, volume, height, color, and other relevant factors.

　　Article 13 No other construction projects or operations such as blasting, drilling, or excavation may be carried out in the heritage area. If special circumstances require such activities, they must ensure the safety of the heritage, comply with the Quanzhou World Heritage Protection and Management Plan, the Heritage Site Cultural Relics Protection Special Plan, and the construction control guidelines, and must be approved in accordance with the relevant regulations.

　　Construction activities in the buffer zone and landscape control zone shall be designed in accordance with the Quanzhou World Heritage Protection and Management Plan, the Heritage Site Cultural Relics Protection Special Plan, and the construction control guidelines, and must not damage the historical appearance, safety environment, or scenic views of the heritage. Construction in the buffer zone must be approved according to the relevant regulations; construction within the landscape control zone must be approved by the municipal or county-level natural resources and planning authorities, with consultation from the cultural heritage department, which should respond within the prescribed time frame.

　　For construction projects within the heritage area, buffer zone, or landscape control zone that may affect the outstanding universal value and the authenticity or integrity of the heritage, the developer must submit a heritage impact assessment report as part of the approval process.

　　Article 14 For construction projects within the Quanzhou World Heritage protection area that may impact the outstanding universal value, authenticity, or integrity of the heritage, the municipal people's government shall organize relevant authorities and invite experts from the Quanzhou World Heritage Expert Advisory Committee to participate in technical evaluations of the project. The evaluation opinions shall serve as important references for the project's legal approval.

　　Article 15 For approved construction projects within the Quanzhou World Heritage protection area, relevant departments such as cultural heritage, natural resources and planning, housing and urban-rural development, transportation, water resources, urban management, and the owner unit shall strengthen supervision and management of the construction process, immediately identifying and correcting violations of laws and regulations.

　　Article 16 The heritage site must establish a protection management institution that assumes the following responsibilities:

　　1. Organize and implement the restoration, maintenance, and conservation of the heritage itself.

　　2. Ensure security and protective measures, including compliance with regulations concerning the use of fire, electricity, water, and gas, as well as measures to prevent theft, natural damage, and natural disasters.

　　3. Conduct routine monitoring and patrols, maintain heritage protection facilities, keep detailed records, and immediately stop and correct illegal activities. Any hazards to the safety of the heritage should be addressed immediately, and the local municipal government and provincial cultural heritage authorities should be informed.

　　4. Determine reasonable visitor capacity and, in accordance with protection requirements, implement reservation systems or limit visitor numbers, providing real-time information to the public and guiding visitors to visit in an orderly manner.

　　5. Provide heritage interpretation, exhibition, and tour services.

　　6. Develop emergency plans for unexpected events, and regularly organize drills to enhance the ability to respond to emergencies.

　　7. Fulfill other protection and management responsibilities as prescribed by laws and regulations.

　　Article 17 Restoration of the Quanzhou World Heritage site shall follow legal procedures, adhering to the principle of maintaining the original condition of the heritage, using original materials, methods, and structures, and retaining the original appearance. The restoration work shall be supervised and guided by the relevant cultural heritage authority.

　　Article 18 The municipal cultural heritage authorities and the local county (city, district) government are responsible for the installation and maintenance of heritage protection markers, boundary stones (piles), and signposts within the Quanzhou World Heritage protection area.

　　The design of protection markers, boundary stones (piles), signposts, and indicators shall be standardized by the municipal heritage protection institution.

　　Article 19 All units and individuals must comply with the regulations for the protection and management of the Quanzhou World Heritage. The following activities are prohibited within the heritage protection area:

　　1. Carving, defacing, or otherwise damaging the heritage.

　　2. Carving, defacing, destroying, or unauthorized removal or demolition of heritage protection markers, protection facilities, boundary stones (piles), signposts, or indicators.

　　3. Illegal discharge of pollutants.

　　4. Introduction of non-native species that are not compatible with the local ecological environment.

　　5. Construction of buildings or facilities that do not comply with the Quanzhou World Heritage Protection and Management Plan, the Heritage Site Cultural Relics Protection Special Plan, and the construction control guidelines.

　　6. Any other activities that threaten the Quanzhou World Heritage.

　　Within the heritage area, the storage of combustible, explosive, corrosive, or other hazardous materials is prohibited. In both the heritage area and buffer zone, activities such as quarrying, sand mining, mining, cemetery construction, and deforestation, which could damage the historical appearance or ecological environment, are also prohibited.

　　Article 20 The municipal and local county (city, district) governments shall establish a joint law enforcement inspection system involving relevant authorities.

　　The municipal and local county (city, district) cultural heritage authorities shall periodically or irregularly lead joint law enforcement inspections to address illegal activities within the heritage protection area, focusing on the illegal excavation of relics, illegal construction, and illegal mining activities. For matters within the scope of other authorities, the relevant departments shall be informed or the issue referred for processing.

　　The local town or street-level governments and village committees must immediately report any illegal activities that harm the heritage's safety or damage its historical appearance or ecological environment.

　　Article 21 The municipal heritage protection institution shall establish a unified heritage monitoring and early warning platform, improve the monitoring system and records, and submit monitoring reports in accordance with relevant regulations. It shall coordinate with relevant authorities to handle emergency warning events and release early warning information.

　　The municipal and local cultural heritage, natural resources and planning, ecological environment, housing and urban-rural development, transportation, agriculture, marine and fisheries, forestry, water resources, urban management, seismic, meteorological authorities, as well as hydrology, maritime management, and port authorities, shall fulfill their respective duties in professional monitoring and submit relevant data to the municipal heritage protection institution for integration into the monitoring platform.

　　Article 22 The municipal cultural heritage authorities shall organize the formulation of archaeological research plans for the Quanzhou World Heritage site. In collaboration with relevant departments, they shall designate potential subterranean or underwater archaeological sites within the heritage protection area, following legal procedures for approval and public notification.

　　Any construction within these archaeological zones must first seek approval from the municipal or county-level cultural heritage authorities, who will request the provincial cultural heritage authorities to conduct archaeological surveys, explorations, and emergency excavations.

　　Article 23 Any filming, scientific investigations, or large-scale events held within the heritage area must obtain the consent of the heritage protection institution. A safety risk assessment must be conducted, and a detailed event plan, including an emergency response plan, must be developed and implemented to ensure the safety and protection of the heritage.

　　Chapter III

　　Revitalisation and Utilisation

　　Article 24

　　The People's Governments of the city and the counties (municipalities, districts) shall formulate policies and adopt the following measures to promote the living heritage transmission and revitalisation of Quanzhou World Heritage:

　　1. Through cooperation, research project initiation, government procurement of services, etc., collect and organise historical materials and documents, explore heritage values, and enrich the connotations of heritage;

　　2. Utilize modern technological means to enhance heritage interpretation and presentation, tell the heritage story well, and promote the digitisation, informationisation, and intelligent construction of heritage protection and management;

　　3. Conduct heritage-related education or research activities in schools at various levels in the city, encourage and support the cultivation of educational practice bases for heritage protection;

　　4. Encourage and support institutions and individuals to conduct heritage research, reward and promote research achievements with significant academic or practical value;

　　5. Investigate and identify intangible cultural heritage projects that reflect heritage values, promote their living transmission, and integrate them into production and daily life;

　　6. Cultivate professionals in heritage protection management, living heritage transmission, and revitalisation and utilisation;

　　7. Encourage and support the lawful conduct of related folk cultural activities to maintain the environment for the continuity of traditional festivals.

　　Article 25

　　The People's Governments of the city and the counties (municipalities, districts) where the heritage sites are located shall coordinate the relationship between the protection of Quanzhou World Heritage and urban development, as well as improvements in people's livelihoods. They shall ensure the rights of indigenous residents to life and development, and in accordance with relevant planning requirements, improve infrastructure and public service facilities, enhance the living environment, and promote co-governance of heritage protection and shared benefits.

　　Article 26

　　The People's Governments of the city and the counties (municipalities, districts) where the heritage sites are located and their relevant competent departments shall strengthen guidance on the commercial activities within the Quanzhou World Heritage protection zones, establish a negative list, optimise the distribution of commercial activities, and cultivate and support activities that align with the expansion of heritage values.

　　Article 27

　　The cultural and tourism authorities of the city shall prepare a tourism management plan for Quanzhou World Heritage and submit it for approval according to the proper procedures. The tourism management plan shall be aligned with the Quanzhou World Heritage protection and management plan.

　　The People's Governments of the city and the counties (municipalities, districts) shall take measures to encourage and support the integration of Quanzhou World Heritage with historic sites, cultural and natural landscapes along the routes, and promote the incorporation of time-honoured brands, traditional foods, folk festivals, and traditional craftsmanship into cultural tourism projects. They shall develop world heritage tourism products with distinct Quanzhou characteristics, improve the tourism industrial chain integrating eating, accommodation, travel, shopping, and entertainment, optimise tourism infrastructure and environment, enhance the quality of tourism, and promote the revitalisation of Quanzhou World Heritage and the integrated development of cultural tourism.

　　The People's Governments of the city and the counties (municipalities, districts) shall formulate policies to revitalise and utilise inefficient and idle resources, expand the space for heritage protection and utilisation, and introduce and cultivate heritage-related cultural tourism projects.

　　Article 28

　　The cultural and tourism authorities of the city and the counties (municipalities, districts) where the heritage sites are located shall strengthen training for interpreters, volunteers, and tour guides, and provide standardised explanatory texts. Heritage site protection institutions shall recruit foreign language interpreters, volunteers, and tour guides as needed, providing foreign language tours and interpretation services.

　　Interpreters, volunteers, and tour guides shall accurately explain the historical and cultural connotations of Quanzhou World Heritage and provide explanations that align with the heritage's values to the public.

　　Article 29

　　The People's Governments of the city and the counties (municipalities, districts) where the heritage sites are located and their relevant competent departments shall strengthen the construction, promotion, and protection of the names, logos, and cultural brands of Quanzhou World Heritage, promoting trademark registration, domain name registration, and relevant intellectual property protection. The municipal cultural heritage authorities are responsible for establishing management regulations for the authorisation and use of Quanzhou World Heritage's names, logos, and cultural brands.

　　They shall encourage and support Quanzhou World Heritage-related cultural heritage institutions to register trademarks and develop cultural and creative products through cooperation, licensing, etc., promoting the social sharing and in-depth exploration of Quanzhou World Heritage resources.

　　Article 30

　　The People's Governments of the city and the counties (municipalities, districts) shall, according to the actual situation, create unique brands such as "Song-Yuan China, Maritime Silk Road Quanzhou," organise promotional activities for Quanzhou World Heritage, with a focused promotional event each year on July 25th. They shall strengthen multilingual display and promotion, expand platforms for external communication, and enhance the influence of Quanzhou World Heritage. They shall encourage the promotion and exhibition of Quanzhou World Heritage in public places with display space and conditions, such as parks, airports, stations, and squares.

　　Newspapers, radio, television, and internet media shall strengthen the promotion of Quanzhou World Heritage through special columns, public service advertisements, etc., raise awareness about heritage protection, and enhance public consciousness about heritage conservation.

　　Chapter IV

　　Legal Responsibilities

　　Article 31

　　For actions that violate the provisions of these regulations, if legal responsibility is stipulated in existing laws, administrative regulations, or regulations formulated by the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Congress, the provisions of those laws shall apply.

　　Article 32

　　Violating the provisions of Article 13, Paragraphs 1 and 2, of these regulations, and undertaking construction works, blasting, drilling, excavation, or other operations that damage the heritage, its historical appearance, safety environment, and scenic vistas within the protected scope or controlled construction areas of heritage protection units, shall be punished by the competent heritage authorities according to the relevant provisions of the "Cultural Heritage Protection Law of the People's Republic of China." For violations outside the protected scope or controlled construction areas, the relevant authorities shall hold the responsible parties accountable according to their respective responsibilities.

　　Article 33

　　Violating the provisions of Article 19, Item 2, of these regulations, by carving, defacing, damaging, or moving or demolishing heritage protection markers, facilities, boundary stones (piles), signposts, or indication signs without authorisation, shall be ordered by the municipal or county (municipality, district) cultural heritage authorities to correct the violation within a specified time. If correction is not made within the given time, the offending unit shall be fined between 10,000 and 50,000 RMB, and individuals shall be fined between 2,000 and 10,000 RMB.

　　Violations of other provisions of Article 19 shall be handled by the municipal or relevant county (municipality, district) departments of public security, natural resources and planning, housing and urban construction, ecological environment, forestry, cultural heritage, urban management, and other competent authorities in accordance with their respective duties.

　　Article 34

　　Violating the provisions of Article 22, Paragraph 2, of these regulations, and commencing construction without archaeological investigation, exploration, or rescue archaeological excavation, shall result in the immediate suspension of work by the municipal or county (municipality, district) cultural heritage authorities, along with a fine of between 50,000 and 200,000 RMB. If serious consequences occur, a fine of between 200,000 and 500,000 RMB shall be imposed, and the qualification certificate of the issuing authority shall be revoked.

　　Article 35

　　For actions that violate these regulations and damage Quanzhou World Heritage, after administrative penalties are imposed by the municipal or county (municipality, district) cultural heritage authorities or other relevant authorities, the information on the administrative penalties shall be publicly disclosed to the society in accordance with the law.

　　Article 36

　　If relevant administrative authorities or their staff abuse their power, neglect their duties, or engage in malpractice in the protection and management of Quanzhou World Heritage, the competent authorities shall punish the directly responsible managers and other responsible personnel in accordance with the law. If criminal liability is involved, they shall be prosecuted according to the law.

　　Article 37

　　For violations of these regulations that damage Quanzhou World Heritage, relevant authorities and organisations may file public interest litigation in accordance with the law.

　　Chapter V

　　Supplementary Provisions

　　Article 38

　　The 22 representative historical sites mentioned in these regulations include:Article 38: This regulation covers 22 representative historical sites, including:

　　Jiuri Mountain Wind-Praying Stone Inscriptions

　　Site of the Maritime Trade Office

　　Site of Deji Gate

　　Tianhou Temple

　　Zhenwu Temple

　　Site of the Southern Clan Office

　　Confucius Temple and School

　　Kaiyuan Temple

　　Statue of Lao Tzu

　　Qingjing Mosque

　　Islamic Tombs

　　Statue of Mani in Cao'an Temple

　　Cizao Kiln Site (Jinjiaoyi Hill Kiln Site)

　　Dehua Kiln Site (Weilin-Neiban Kilns, Qudougong Kiln)

　　Xiacaopu Iron Production Site of Qingyang Village in Anxi

　　Shihu Dock

　　Wanshou Pagoda

　　Liusheng Pagoda

　　Meishan Dock

　　Wenxing Dock

　　Luoyang Bridge (Wan'an Bridge)

　　Anping Bridge

　　Following the enactment of this regulation, heritage sites and their related environments that are listed as extension elements through legal procedures shall be subject to this regulation.

　　Article 39: This regulation shall come into effect on January 1, 2024.