Management of the Grand Canal and it's bid as a world cultural heritage site

The Grand Canal is of incomparable importance to ancient China, which still serves it's original functions in the current society. Given it's outstanding value, the conservation of the Grand Canal in China is drawing an increasing attention, and there is a proposal to inscribe it in the World Heritage List in the near future. The different functions of the Grand Canal determine the roles of the different departments; however, there are some contradictions that will harm it's conservation. The current paper attempts to find solutions toward the better management of the Grand Canal in the context of world heritage conservation.