Historic buildings protected by law in Shanghai

Shanghai yesterday issued a draft law to protect over 4,000 historic buildings in the city, many of which are in a dilapidated state and lack protection. The local legislative body approved the first draft of the Shanghai Cultural Relics Protection Law that stipulates owners of the protected buildings cannot change the facade, structure or inner decoration of the buildings. “Many of the buildings were damaged or destroyed during urban construction, while preservation efforts for other buildings suffered because of lack of governmental funds,” said Hu Jinjun, director general of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage.