The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 28 COM 15B.56, adopted at its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004),
3. Notes the positive achievements in the conservation and management of the property and particularly in adopting legal provisions for the protection of old villages and historic buildings in Suzhou and for the protection of historic setting of the property;
4. Commends the State Party for its efforts to follow-up on the recommendations made by the World Heritage Committee in its decision 28 COM 15B.56 and encourages it to maintain and augment such effort;
5. Urges the State Party to give high priority to the development of an updated comprehensive and integrated management plan for the World Heritage property which would ensure a harmonized approach to new development and renovation, fully integrate the application of all existing heritage laws and regulatory measures, and ensure that the historic villages maintain their "living" character;
6. Requests the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS to respond positively to calls for support from the State Party in developing this comprehensive management plan for the protection of cultural heritage properties in Suzhou;
7. Urges the State Party to consider the possible extension of the World Heritage property to include the entire historic town of Suzhou, together with other historic canal towns within the same geo-cultural area in China;
8. Requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with a report, before 1 February 2008, on progress made in the development of an updated comprehensive management plan for the protection of cultural heritage properties in Suzhou, for examination by the Committee at its 32nd session in 2008.