Kunming University of Science and Technology, a key Yunnan provincial university, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong recently reached agreement on plans to save a Kunming ancient village.

Half of the houses of the village, called Wulong, were built in traditional styles dating from the Qing Dynasty (1616-1912) to the Republic of China period (1912-1949).

“I hope that the two universities will do a good job in solving one of the local government’s knotty problems of historical house protection,” said Wang Dan, deputy head of Chenggong district, where the village is located.

“Urbanization often kills historical remains and neglects artistic designs and maintenance,” said Zhou Fengyue, vice chancellor of Kunming University of Science and Technology.

He added that Yunnan scholars and urban administrators should be devoted to the protection of historical sites and artifacts.

After discussions the expert panel visited dozens of buildings in the village.