File photo of Huai'an section of the Grand Canal. [Photo/VCG]

A meeting was held on March 30 to promote construction of the Huai’an Grand Canal National Culture Park, advancing the project by specifying managers and investment sources and designating main responsibilities.

The Huai'an section of the Grand Canal, the world's longest man-made canal, is 68 kilometers long with two heritage areas, one river course, and five sites on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

To better protect, inherit and utilize the cultural heritage, Huai’an formed the Huai'an Grand Canal Cultural Belt Planning and Construction Management Office, a municipal-level agency tasked with coordinating planning and supervising construction of the Grand Canal park. Huai'an Culture and Tourism Group, also unveiled during the meeting, is in charge of construction of the park project and clarifying various responsibilities.

On the same day, Jiangsu Cultural Investment Group and Huai’an SJID Group signed a contract to establish the Huai’an Grand Canal Cultural Tourism Development Fund. The aim is to provide financial support for development of cultural tourism projects themed on the Huai’an section of the Grand Canal.

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