Circuit court established to preserve cultural heritage in east China

FUZHOU, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- A circuit court specializing in cultural heritage protection was set up Thursday in east China's Fujian Province.

According to Ou Yanfeng, vice president of the Fujian Provincial Higher People's Court, the circuit court will try criminal, civil and administrative cases related to ancient buildings in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian. The court will set up two offices in the city.

Ou said the court will give full play to the institutional advantages of diversified dispute resolution, bringing in experts, academics, lawmakers, political advisors, jurors and mediators.

Fujian has more than 200 pieces of national intangible cultural heritage.

In recent years, the Fujian Provincial Higher People's Court has issued 10 measures on strengthening the judicial protection of cultural heritage, severely punishing the crimes of stealing, excavating, damaging and smuggling cultural relics.