The original imperial city in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) along with the Forbidden City in Beijing should be applied for world cultural heritage for better protection, members of Beijing People's Political Consultative Conference (BPPCC) and experts advised yesterday.

"Among the 25 historical and cultural districts authorized by the municipal government of Beijing for key protection, there are 14 districts within range of the imperial city which have largely kept their original appearance," said vice-director of the municipal bureau of cultural relics, Kong Fanzhi, yesterday in a report answering the BPPCC members' proposal.

Beijing already has five authorized world cultural heritage sites including the Summer Palace, the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.

From East Huangchenggen to West Huangchenggen and from the Red Wall of Tian'anmen Square in the south to Ping'an Avenue in the north, the imperial city includes huge ancient architectural complexes such as the Forbidden City, Imperial Ancestral Temple and Beihai (former imperial winter palace), as well as ancient streets, lanes and civilian residential housing, according to Luo Zhewen, an expert on historical city protection.

"We will step up our efforts to clear out new buildings and better protect the ancient architecture, so that it maintains its original appearance in some 100 years time," said Kong.

BPPCC members and the experts all appealed to work out special regulations on the protection of the original imperial city. It is reported that there have been two regulations on the management of the Great Wall and Zhoukoudian site, of the fossils of the Peking Man and Upper Cave Man.

Experts and BPPCC members have all advised that the construction of new modern buildings cease in the area.

"The original imperial city is China's symbol to some extent," said Zhao Shu, a BPPCC member.

"Protection of the original imperial city will also contribute to the People's Olympics, one of the visions of the 2008 Olympics," said BPPCC members.