Related: Annan tours famous Chinese scenic resort 
              UN secretary-general Annan starts China visit

    HUANGSHAN, Anhui, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Visiting UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Sunday praised China's efforts to protect World Heritage sites, saying he was quite satisfied with the country's achievements in this field.

    Annan toured renowned Mount Huangshan and Xidi village, a well-preserved ancient village, in east China's Anhui Province. The two scenic resorts have been inscribed on the list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage sites and World Cultural Heritage sites, respectively.

    He inquired about the measures taken by the local government to protect the ecological environment of the two resorts. Annan said it is an absolutely correct decision for the UNESCO to inscribe the two scenic spots on the World Heritage list, and he was very satisfied with the environmental protection work.

    Ambassador Wang Guangya, China's Representative to the United Nations who is accompanying Annan on his China tour, said the Chinese government has always been active in selecting candidates for World Heritage sites and made concerted efforts to protect them.

    Before his arrival at picturesque Huangshan on Friday evening, Annan met with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing on Friday afternoon.

    During his four-day trip to China, Annan will also meet and confer with Premier Wen Jiabao and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, tour the main stadium for the 2008 Olympics and talk to students at prestigious Beijing University. Enditem