The Chinese government approved designating Jiujiang city in East China's Jiangxi province as a national historical and cultural city, according to an official reply released by the State Council on April 2.

With a long history and rich culture, the city’s traditional layout, construction styles and cultures have their own distinct features, and its cultural deposits and historical remains are of great value, the reply said.

The State Council urged the provincial and city government to tap into its historical and cultural resources, make detailed protection plans, specify lists of protection items, and properly manage the relationship between city construction and cultural heritage protection.

They should also preserve and restore historical and cultural street blocks, further develop urban infrastructure and public services, enhance restoration and preservation of cultural relics, and make better use of historical buildings, according to the reply.

The reply also specified that it is not allowed to alter any natural landscapes or environment correlating with the historical and cultural elements of the city. Construction incompatible with the local environment and styles should not be built. Damaging, moving without authorization and demolishing historical structures are also not allowed.

It concluded that the provincial government, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and the National Cultural Heritage Administration should strengthen guidance, supervision and inspection on related work of the city government.