An ongoing demolition of the residence of the former Kuomintang (KMT) leader Chiang Kai-shek in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on February 15. Source: Xinhua.
An ongoing demolition of the residence of the former Kuomintang (KMT) leader Chiang Kai-shek in Yüzhong District, Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, was recently exposed to the public.
This is the second incident about the demolition to former residences of celebrity in 2012 in China, after the demolition to Liang Sicheng's former house in January, which results in the appeal to protect these old houses from society.
◆Former house of Chiang Kai-shek to be demolished in Chongqing
An ongoing demolition of the residence of the former Kuomintang (KMT) leader Chiang Kai-shek in Yüzhong District, Chongqing, was recently exposed to the public.(Source: Global Times)
◆Live investigation:
The roof of the house has been already demolished. The authorities have not put up notices about future renovation work.
◆Government reaction:
The spokesman for Yüzhong District's Culture, Radio, Television, Press and Publication Bureau:
"The idea of a 'protective demolition,' or demolition for safety purposes and a reconstruction according to original designs, was conceived during the Spring Festival in 2011."
Xu Xiaoyu, manager of the Cultural Relic Management Institute of Yüzhong District in Chongqing:
"Chiang's residence will be reconstructed at its former address in August 2012 and the new building, expected to be completed in October 2013, will serve as an Anti-Japanese War History Museum open to the public free of charge."
◆News in Photo (Soure: Xinhua):
Voices:
@Cao Tianjian, famous writer:
I wish everyone in society, including government officials and real estate developers, could think twice before they decide to demolish a historical house just for financial gain. The house in question is not only a relic, but also the soul of your ancestors.
@Xie Chuanlei, editor of The Oriental Morning Post:
After Liang Sicheng’s former residence was destroyed, Chiang Kai-shek’s former house now cannot avoid demolition. Some netizens have speculated that relics from the Anti-Japanese War in their area will also be destroyed. It is a tragedy that our nation has grown accustomed to forgetting so many parts of its history.
@Wang Yu, former coach of the Chinese national fencing team:
Former residences of celebrities need protection. However, the so-called “demolition for protection” is ridiculous. These houses represent many historical events which should be remembered by us. Our government officials don’t realize that. They are only concerned with economic advancement.
@Zhang Changwei, a Shanghai microblogger:
Hurun Group, the company that demolished Liang Sicheng’s house, only received a 500,000 yuan fine. Such light punishment cannot stop developers from destroying other celebrity homes. The government, especially the courts and the law, should provide more effective protection of our relics.
Comments:
◆"Protective Demolition" shows the shortage of relic protection
"Protection does not mean demolition and then rebuild. The historical values of ectypal houses are far less than the original ones, " Bi Xiaozhe, a commentator, Feb 16.
◆Demolition of celebrity houses, Pain of the culture
"The current situation of celebrity houses raises an alarm for the relic protection. With the rapid urbanization, this becomes an essential problem we should solve," Sha Ke, a reporter of Hainan Daily, Feb 6.
◆Demolition while your back is turned
"Architecture represents the very idea of a city and it's people. Once it's destroyed it is irrecoverable," Matthew Jukes, reporter of Global Times, Jan 29.
◆Definition of "celebrity"
There is not an exact definition of "celebrity" in Chinese society. Furthermore, people don't even know which houses around them are former residences of celebrities. For example, in Beijing, 189 of a total of 308 former residences of celebrities
are not on a protection list. Among the 189 neglected former residences of celebrities, 97 of them have already been demolished.
◆Contradictions between urban construction and relic protection
In some cities, celebrity homes are located in the downtown area. The government and developers demolish these homes to make way for new construction.
◆Problems for Cultural Relic Protection Departments
Local cultural relic protection departments in China do not have enough authority to stop the demolitions and protect the homes of celebrities. The Law of Relic Protection is still not complete. The punishment handed out to those who destroy the celebrity homes is too light.