Demolition of university building causes dilemma for local officials

THE MAIN TEACHING BUILDING OF Wuhan University in Central China's Hubei province was demolished with explosives on Friday. Media reports quoted local officials as saying they demolished the building as it spoiled the scenic surroundings of nearby East Lake. Southern Metropolis Daily commented:

The building, designed by architect He Jingtang, was built in 1997 at the cost of 100 million yuan ($14.9 million) and put into use in 2000. It won several national architecture awards, including the top award for architecture, the Luban Award.

Yet the building was demolished at the cost of 13 million yuan. That's a huge waste of taxpayers' money, because Wuhan University is a public university, funded by the State.