Extravagant renovation of ancient city denied
Source: Xinhua |
August 15, 2012, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
OFFICIALS have denied rumors that extravagant sums are to be spent on restoring a central Chinese city established over 1,000 years ago.
Controversy has been sparked over claims that the government of Kaifeng, in Henan Province, is planning to spend 100 billion yuan (US$15.77 billion) to rebuild the ancient city.
Kaifeng, with the ancient name of "Bianjing," was the capital for several dynasties.
The so-called "rebuilding Bianjing" project has sparked an outcry on Weibo. Some accused the municipal government of intending to use the work to build up its own political credentials while disregarding their duty to improve locals' living conditions.
Others say reconstruction of the ancient scenic spots is aimed at removing the shanty towns from the city, and relocation of the residents might be neglected.
The annual financial income of Kaifeng is only about 500 million yuan, the 13th highest of the province's 18 cities. Should the ancient city be rebuilt, the government would have to borrow heavily.
However, the Kaifeng government clarified yesterday that it aims only to remold the shanty towns to improve people's living conditions.
About 80,000 families living in the shanty towns would benefit from the renovation project.
"As a city with multiple historic sites, we will try our best to keep the original style of the ancient city during our reconstruction," said Kong Xiangcheng, deputy director of the city's Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau.
Controversy has been sparked over claims that the government of Kaifeng, in Henan Province, is planning to spend 100 billion yuan (US$15.77 billion) to rebuild the ancient city.
Kaifeng, with the ancient name of "Bianjing," was the capital for several dynasties.
The so-called "rebuilding Bianjing" project has sparked an outcry on Weibo. Some accused the municipal government of intending to use the work to build up its own political credentials while disregarding their duty to improve locals' living conditions.
Others say reconstruction of the ancient scenic spots is aimed at removing the shanty towns from the city, and relocation of the residents might be neglected.
The annual financial income of Kaifeng is only about 500 million yuan, the 13th highest of the province's 18 cities. Should the ancient city be rebuilt, the government would have to borrow heavily.
However, the Kaifeng government clarified yesterday that it aims only to remold the shanty towns to improve people's living conditions.
About 80,000 families living in the shanty towns would benefit from the renovation project.
"As a city with multiple historic sites, we will try our best to keep the original style of the ancient city during our reconstruction," said Kong Xiangcheng, deputy director of the city's Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau.
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