China has spent a total of 3.5 billion yuan(510.39 million U.S. dollars) on the protection of two world heritage sites in southwest China's Sichuan Province over the past two decades.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee agreed to put Mount Emei Scenic Area and Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area on the World Natural and Cultural Heritage list in 1996. A celebration of the 20th anniversary of inscription was held in the city of Leshan on Tuesday.

Over the past two decades, tourism in the city has grown significantly to 40 million visitors spending 50 billion yuan annually, said Peng Lin, Party chief of Leshan City.

A forum on protecting heritage was held in the Mount Emei Scenic Area after the celebration, attracting more than 100 experts from home and abroad.