Xuanwu lake and its surrounding Ming and Qing Dynasty wall has recently found itself in the midst of a scandalous decision to push ahead with two seemingly incredulous projects that will see parts the wall wrecked.
Said development projects have been rejected by the central government, however, there is growing concern among the people that developers will press on with applications to approve.
As reported by The Paper, 27 September, the Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau officially said that according to due process of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, the Jiangsu Bureau would hereby make corresponding amendments to its plans regarding the Nanjing Xuanwu lake Children’s Paradise project.
The State Bureau of Cultural Relics has said that it “doesn’t agree with the Xuanwu Lake Children’s Paradise project”. 3 days after the rejection announcement of the project was made, the State issued a Veto Order on 25 September.
The second project in question involves the green land construction block located at 25 Jiangning Lu. The project also falls under the jurisdiction of the city wall heritage listed site.
The State has also issued a rejection of the project for the green land block and said plans for the parking tower near the city wall need to be redesigned.
The Jiangsu Cultural Relics Bureau have said it is non negotiable and will comply by implementing adjustments to all plans.
Outraged Chinese Internet users took to the keyboard to voice love for Nanjing’s irreplaceable cultural heritage. “The people of Nanjing, [should] thank the State Bureau of Cultural Relics”, one user commented, while others remarked, “The proposal is a crime in itself”, and “Some things are lost, and then there are none”.
