China's Mount Tai, "King of the Five Great Mountains," Criticized for Barbed Wire Fencing

(CNA, reporter Chang Chien, Hong Kong, 2nd) According to reports, Mount Tai, revered as the "King of the Five Great Mountains" in China, has been partially enclosed with sharp barbed wire fencing by relevant authorities to prevent outdoor tourists from illegally entering the mountain and starting fires. However, this action has drawn criticism for being "rigid and brutal," potentially blocking wildlife migration routes and disregarding the mountain's centuries-old status as "the people's mountain."

The Sing Tao Daily reported today that barbed wire fencing, commonly seen in prisons, border lines, or military zones, has now appeared around the Mount Tai scenic area in Shandong province, stretching for 135 kilometers.

The report stated that according to videos recently filmed by Chinese netizens, rolling barbed wire fences, nearly as tall as an adult, have appeared amidst the vegetation on Mount Tai, built along the mountain and seemingly endless.

According to public information, the Mount Tai scenic area proposed in 2022 the establishment of a three-dimensional prevention and control system of "sky net, ground net, human sentries, and water shields." The "ground net" refers to this barbed wire fencing, with a total length of 135 kilometers. Including supporting facilities such as checkpoints and warning signs, the entire "Mount Tai Forest Fire Prevention Corridor" project has a total investment of 25.193 million yuan (approximately 110 million New Taiwan Dollars).

According to reports, the reason the Mount Tai scenic area management department used barbed wire fencing to enclose the mountain is to prevent outdoor tourists from illegally entering and using fire. To this end, they invested money to create the "Forest Fire Prevention Corridor" project, but this move has drawn strong criticism.

The report quoted a resident of Tai'an as lamenting to Chinese media, "Mount Tai has been the people's mountain for thousands of years, but in recent years it has been enclosed with barbed wire fencing." The resident added, "Fire prevention is understandable, but using border line standards to fence the mountain, isn't that going too far?"

Some netizens also expressed concern that the more than 100 kilometers of barbed wire fencing would cut off wildlife migration corridors, potentially leading to animals getting entangled and dying. They pointed out, "No one opposes fire and insect prevention, but has the wildlife corridor been assessed? How can the logic of protecting the ecosystem in a way that might kill animals make sense?"

According to reports, China's "Jimu News" published a commentary yesterday stating that ensuring safety is the responsibility of the scenic area. However, when people see that cold and stern barbed wire fence winding through the lush mountains, it's hard not to feel a pang of unease. "Protecting safety in this manner is neither aesthetically pleasing, nor safe, nor dignified."

The report stated that in response to external criticism, the Mount Tai scenic area management department replied that the barrier facilities are entirely located at important entrances in non-open and non-tourist areas, and that passages for agricultural production, biological migration, and a large number of free areas for fitness and leisure have been reserved. The main purpose is to ensure fire safety and ecological safety, especially the lives of outdoor tourists.

Regarding the issues and suggestions raised by the public, the Mount Tai scenic area management department stated that they attach great importance to them and will conduct in-depth research and deliberation in the next step. (Editor: Chen Kai-yu) 1150702

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