One of Guangzhou's landmarks, the Guangzhou Liberation Monument in Haizhu Square, will be affected by the construction of the subway system, and some arcade structures will have to be demolished. The works have been approved by the local cultural heritage authority, but builders are required to institute precautionary measures to preserve Guangzhou's cultural heritage and cityscape.

The local cultural heritage authority has approved the temporary removal of part of the foundation pedestal of the Liberation Monument to permit construction of the Haizhu Square Metro Station. Since the monument is a protected municipal-level cultural heritage site, the cultural heritage authority has ordered the metro company to duplicate images and texts at the site prior to construction; to implement protective measures for the site during construction; and, to restore the monument's foundations after construction to the satisfaction of the authority.

Construction of the Haizhu Square Station on Metro Line 6 is expected to commence before the end of this month.

The metro company has indicated that, due to the complex geological conditions at the site of the Beijing Road Station, the arcade structures at 379 to 407 Wanfu Road will have to be demolished. The arcade structures in question are within Guangzhou's preserved arcade architecture area and are part of the site of the former military commission of the Guangdong and Guangxi provincial committee of the Communist Party of China during Zhou Enlai's leadership. The site is protected as a provincial-level heritage site and the subway contractors is required to restore the architecture when subway construction is completed.

Metro Line 6, which is due to open on June 28, 2010, will have a length of 31.3 kilometers and run from Xunfenggang to Gaotangshi. The line will have 26 stations, 22.6 kilometers of underground track and 8.7 kilometers of elevated track.

Editor: Yan