Science trumping tourism in China's "Valley of Kings"

A heated debate over whether to excavate one of the 28 imperial tombs dotting the outskirts of China's ancient capital of Xian has resurfaced with a respected economist weighing in on the advantages to the nation of opening the royal grave.

"The cultural enlightenment from excavating the tomb of Qinshi Huang will surpass the pyramids of Egypt," Zhang Wuchang of Hong Kong University said in a recent article that has sparked the debate.

"Not starting excavations is the same as having nothing. Only by excavating will we find value capable of contributing to society."

Zhang's article, posted on his website late last year, drew heated reaction with the official Xinhua news agency reporting that over 240,000 people had weighed in with their own opinions.

According to Zhang, by opening up Qinshi Huang's tomb, the imperial tomb that accompanies Xian's famed terra-cotta warriors, tourism revenues in Shaanxi province would double.