Op-Ed Contributors

Save the Great Wall from philistines

By David Chard (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-17 07:55

4. Would it be possible to build a special "Great Graffiti Wall" outside the entrance and invite visitors to scratch their names into it - like a giant "Guest Book"? Photographs of this graffiti wall can then be uploaded on the Internet so that people can revisit the experience as often as they wish. There are a lot of creative possibilities that would be preferable to the defacing of the Great wall.

The Great Wall is, without question, a magnificent piece of history that has much to teach us about what humans can do when they set their minds to it. It stands as one of the greatest historical monuments on the planet and should be preserved for future generations. My message to all tourists who thoughtlessly deface this monument: "Shame on you." My message to the authorities who allow this to continue: "Shame on you."

The Chinese built the Great Wall, overcoming unimaginable challenges, to keep the "barbarians" out. It seems that protecting it from modern-day "barbarians" would not be that difficult!

The author is president of Engaging Minds, a consulting firm that focuses on executive coaching and leadership development for companies in the Asia-Pacific Region.

(China Daily 06/17/2010 page9)