Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong Wednesday said China will broaden international exchanges and learn from other countries in heritage protection.

"China will strengthen cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and other international organizations," Liu said at a ceremony held here Wednesday marking the 30th founding anniversary of China's National Commission for UNESCO.

"The Chinese government will keep carrying out international conventions and actively explore scientific laws and effective methods in heritage protection," Liu said.

China will stick to the principle of "preservation first" and avoid over-exploitation and destructive construction, Liu said.

China is a country with rich cultural and natural heritage. So far, a total of 38 heritage sites in the country have been included in the World Heritage List, and 29 kinds of non-material cultural heritage have been included in the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2009)