故宮啓動建國以來最徹底城牆修繕工程

After centuries, walls that once protected mighty emperors are beginning to show their age.

歷經幾個世紀，曾經保護位高權重的一國之君的城牆開始顯現出歲月的痕跡。

The Palace Museum in Beijing, also known as the Forbidden City, began a sweeping renovation of a 233-meter-long section of the walls north of the First Historical Archives inside the Xihua Gate.

北京故宮博物院(又稱紫禁城)日前啓動一項大規模修繕工程，修繕區域爲西華門內第一歷史檔案館以北一段233米的城牆。

The restoration work would focus on the inside of the city wall.

修繕工作將以城牆內側修繕爲主。

Experts recently finished a survey on the condition of the 3,437 meters of wall. It shows hidden hazards:

專家近日完成了對故宮3437米城牆狀況的勘察，發現一些隱患：

Some sections have been hollowed out over time, and are sagging. Grass and tree roots that have infiltrated gaps pose another major threat to their stability.

隨着時間的流逝，部分城牆出現空心區、正在塌陷。長在城牆縫隙之間的草、樹根也對牆體的穩固構成威脅。

The western walls have sustained the most damage, Shan Jixiang, the museum's curator said.

故宮博物院院長單霽翔表示，故宮西部區域的城牆受損最嚴重。

A 233-meter section on that side has been chosen as the first target for renovation. Plans for the rest are pending.

該區域一段233米的城牆被選爲第一個修繕對象。其他城牆的修繕方案還在制定中。

Shan said he expects the whole project covering all endangered sections to be completed by October 2020, when the Forbidden City celebrates its 600th birthday.

單霽翔表示，他預計涉及所有危牆的整個修繕工程將於2020年10月完成，屆時恰逢紫禁城慶祝600歲生日。