8. Debates on Historic Architecture Protection Abound

Seven years ago, the Renovation Plan for the Yuanmingyuan Ruins was announced to the public. Involving reconstruction of 10 percent of the ruined architecture and grounds, the project was previously expected for completion before 2008. But due to strong opposition from environmentalists and some renowned scholars, the project was halted shortly after it kicked off.

Recently, Yuanmingyuan Park management office announced it was planning to rebuild a palace gate in 2008. Thus, renovation of the imperial palace complex restarted despite all the dissenting voices.

Wang Zhili, founder and vice chairman of the Yuanmingyuan Research Society, is a fervent supporter of the renovation project, but the 94-year old man was invited only to the workshop's opening ceremony. When the workshop concluded on October 20 the old man reappeared on the conference venue in an attempt to make sure that walls were not included in the designated 10 percent architectural renovations mentioned in the plan.

To his disappointment, a Beijing newspaper had reported one day earlier that the local authorities had decided to build large walls and palace gates.

Supporters were concerned about walls, because if they were included in the 10 percent ratio more palaces could be squeezed out of the renovation project.

More disappointingly, no further details about the renovation project were mentioned in the newspaper. Although the first Renovation Plan for the Yuanmingyuan Ruins was developed in 2000, no action had been taken since.

The renovation project has aroused constant controversy among academic circles and among locals. As early as 1980, a petition to renovate Yuanmingyuan was put forward with 1,583 signatures, some of them prestigious State leaders.