Mianzhu rescues state-level files

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Source: CCTV.com | 06-16-2008 13:33

The devastating earthquake also buried over 600,000 scrolls of state-level archives under the ruins of collapsed buildings. Fortunately, a batch of these precious files have been rescued in Mianzhu city by a group of PLA soldiers.

The devastating earthquake also buried over 600,000 scrolls of state-level archives under the ruins of collapsed buildings. Fortunately, a batch of these precious files have been rescued in Mianzhu city by a group of PLA soldiers.

Inside the seriously damaged Mianzhu City Archives building, nearly 50,000 scrolls recording the history from Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty to the founding of new China were in danger.

Li Xuhai, Head of Mianzhu Archives said "These archives can't be reproduced once damaged. That means part of the Mianzhu's history will be gone. It'll be an irretrievable loss."

After studying its structure, the soldiers carefully paved a way into the building and brought out all the files in storage. It included a four-hundred-year-old Mianzhu County Annals.

Xu Naiyin, Chief Economist of S. China Sea Navy Engineering Department said "The most valuable archives were kept on the second floor. We brought them out in boxes so there has been no damage to the relics."

Apart from Mianzhu, Sichuan provincial authorities have also transferred all files under state-level protection to safe places from six other archives buildings which were damaged during the earthquake.

Editor:Xiong Qu