China to evaluate officials on protection of cultural relics

China is planning to evaluate performance of its officials in protecting the country's cultural relics.
The central government is considering weighing local officials' role in protection of cultural relics more heavily in order to strengthen enforcement, said Gu Yucai, deputy head of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.
Cultural heritage protection in China is often met with weak enforcement and lack of funding as officials' performance is mainly assessed based on their economic achievements.
Gu made the comments when explaining a policy document on cultural relics protection, which is still being modified and is yet to be released.
The directive will also likely add a clause that will hold officials accountable for any damage or theft of cultural relics, even when officials have been promoted or have retired, Gu told state-run Xinhua news agency.

The directive is in line with a draft law on the protection of cultural relics, which officials say will be evaluated on their efforts to protect them.
Public opinion is currently being solicited on the draft law.