Anhui province will create "identity numbers" for local ancient buildings and ban the removal of ancient structures from the province.

A government statement released on Wednesday came days after kung fu film star Jackie Chan said he donated four ancient Anhui sandalwood houses to a Singaporean university.

Information on ancient buildings will be reserved in the province's archives, and the ancient buildings will get identity numbers for better protection, the Anhui Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development told China News Service on Wednesday.