The Great Wall, a great wonder , is facing a great threat !

The Great Wall, one of the Chinese nation’s symbols, has been in existence for over 2000 years. It extends from the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Jiayu Pass in Gansu Province in the west to the mouth of the Yalu River in Liaoning Province in the east with a length of more than 6000 kilometers. In history, it plays a tremendous role to resist the attack from the Huns, Mongolians and Manchus. Chinese people are so proud of it. Now, however, 90 percent of it is under the threat of disappearing, says a Great Wall protection expert. In addition to some irresistible sandstorms, earthquakes and other natural factors, human activities are also an important factor. The Great Wall is mainly distributed in these arid desert areas, semi-arid and sub-humid areas which are the most serious regions of desertification. Under such kinds of bad weather, it has been seriously damaged here. Besides, most peasants here are in poverty and they do not know the importance and the significance of protecting the Great Wall. Some peasants plant corps beside the Great Wall. Some dug its soil .The others even took out bricks to build their sties. Some businessmen want to pursue the maximization of interests at the expense of its over-exploitation. Several sections of the wall without approval from the relevant department have been open to the tourists at home and abroad. You can clearly see some places of the wall have been carved with names and words.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />  The Great Wall, a world cultural heritage of all mankind, if not protected, will disappear from our sight forever! (pictures from zhinanzhen net, www.ly321.com)