Anger over fake walls
Source: Xinhua |
May 15, 2011, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A central Chinese city's efforts to restore one of the country's oldest city walls has ignited public outrage after tons of dirt were piled up to replicate the lost walls.
In Zhengzhou, an ancient Chinese capital in Henan Province, those supervising the rebuilding work on the 3,600-year-old city walls were accused of using public funds for a "counterfeit" project.
"It's a waste of taxpayers' money to place such a fake atop the genuine relics," said a local resident who refused to be named.
The city walls in Zhengzhou date back to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC). Their run-down state, however, compelled the local government to start a restoration project last year.
Clay deposits were reinforced on remaining walls, and new walls were erected at places where the above-ground structures had disappeared. The project cost reportedly exceeded 500 million yuan (US$77 million).
An elderly resident surnamed Lin, however, said the rebuilding project might not revive the city walls after years of neglect had largely destroyed them. "Their greatness is forever gone. I suspect that they could do much in the restoration," said Lin.
Experts also expressed concern that the project on the ancient walls, if carelessly planned, might end in a new round of devastation.
(Xinhua)
In Zhengzhou, an ancient Chinese capital in Henan Province, those supervising the rebuilding work on the 3,600-year-old city walls were accused of using public funds for a "counterfeit" project.
"It's a waste of taxpayers' money to place such a fake atop the genuine relics," said a local resident who refused to be named.
The city walls in Zhengzhou date back to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC). Their run-down state, however, compelled the local government to start a restoration project last year.
Clay deposits were reinforced on remaining walls, and new walls were erected at places where the above-ground structures had disappeared. The project cost reportedly exceeded 500 million yuan (US$77 million).
An elderly resident surnamed Lin, however, said the rebuilding project might not revive the city walls after years of neglect had largely destroyed them. "Their greatness is forever gone. I suspect that they could do much in the restoration," said Lin.
Experts also expressed concern that the project on the ancient walls, if carelessly planned, might end in a new round of devastation.
(Xinhua)
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