Plans for bridge over historic wall spur debate

Plans for a walking bridge over a 600-year-old relic wall in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province, has spurred a heated debate.

The reconstruction plan for the city's Central Park, the wall's location, call for a bridge with two elevators to carry people from one side of the structure to the other.

Supporters believe it would benefit both tourists and locals because the wall currently is a barrier for those who want to visit Xuanwu Lake, on the other side of the wall, and it is a long walk from one side of the wall to the other.

Those who oppose the move say such a "coat" for the historical relic would be ugly, and they want the wall to retain its original look.

Local media quoted a city planning official as saying that an Australian design firm made the plan but it was not final.

The official said the government will solicit public opinion before making a decision on the plan.