The preservation of ruins from the massive earthquake of May 12, 2008 is not only a record of a disaster, but a warning to humanity to respect nature.

Earthquake ruins should be preserved as a memorial.

Three years ago the historic Chinese town of Beichuan was destroyed by a magnitude 8.0 earthquake. Many cultural sites and relics were destroyed in the disaster. Officials from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage said at a press conference that 169 sites under central government protection, and 250 under provincial or municipal protection, had been severely damaged in the quake.

But the government immediately began working on heritage restoration, investing around 3 billion yuan on cultural rescue and protection programs. By the beginning of May of this year, about 80 percent of the programs were complete.

The government also made great efforts to preserve the ruins of the towns destroyed in the quake. The disaster was an indelible moment in the country's history and is engraved in the minds of the Chinese people. But some ruins should be preserved as a reminder and as concrete evidence of what happened, Ge Jianxiong, a prominent Chinese historian, said.

A new town of Beichuan has been built, but the old town has been preserved as an earthquake memorial. "It's good because we have a place we can go to hold a memorial service at Spring Festival and on Tomb-sweeping Day," said Mrs. Li, who used to live in the old town and lost family members in the quake.

The government's action to preserve the quake ruins is a first for the world, as no other country has ever decided to protect ruins immediately after a major disaster. It is thought valuable lessons will be learnt from the project.

Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Shan Jixiang said, "In terms of the management of the quake ruins sites, the authorities should preserve their integrity and authenticity in accordance with world heritage protection standards.