The PRC has been trying for several years to get Yin Xu (the Ruins of Yin) in Xiaotun, site of important finds of oracle bones, included on the United Nation’s list of World Heritage Sites. Oracle bones are pieces of turtle shell or animal bone on which were inscribed early forms of what eventually came to be Chinese characters.

This year Yin Xu was finally voted in.

This year’s new additions also include giant-panda sanctuaries and the Tequila-producing area of Mexico.

sources:

• U.N. adds 18 sites to heritage list, but not Everest, Reuters, July 13, 2006
• Home of China’s earliest writing shoots for world heritage listing, Xinhua, July 12, 2006
• Advisory Body Evaluation (PDF in English and French)