Thirst for profits risks historic sites

BEIJING - The way China treats its cultural relics has come under fire in the wake of allegations that important historical sites have been misused.

Reports of the existence of an exclusive club for wealthy people within the Forbidden City's Jianfu Palace stirred up the emotions of many Chinese netizens. Membership of the club reportedly costs 1 million yuan ($154,000).

However, the apparently inappropriate use of cultural landmarks does not stop at the Forbidden City's impressive walls.