Protection of the Old City of Beijing: Good Plans, No Follow-through

CHP: China Heritage Update 29 Sept 2005

The Old City of Beijing is the Ming and Qing city lying within the remains of the old city wall and moat, which in today's terms is the area lying within the Second Ring Road, occupying 62.5 square kilometers is one of the world's most well-known cultural heritage sites. To protect the Old City, the municipal government on 18 September 2002 promulgated a detailed protection plan and started to implement the plan from 16 October of that year. According to the stipulations of the Law on Municipal Planning of the PRC government, these plans have the power of law and must be enforced as such. Unless the plans have gone through the legally stipulated amendment process, the contents of the plans may not be altered.

The Old City protection plans of the City of Beijing are rich in substantive content. A few key points are shown below:

1. The convex-shaped borders of the Old City must be protected. Thirty meters of green space is to be maintained on the inner side of the East and West Second Ring Roads, symbolic of the old city walls that used to be there.

2. The form and colors of all new structures within the Old City must be in harmony with the overall style and features of the Old City. All single and multiple storey residences must have sloping roofs.

3. The first group of Old City Conservation zones (25 zones with a total area of 1038 hectares) must be protected strictly in accordance with the Protection Plan approved by Beijing City in February 2002. The protection of the second group of Old City Conservation zones (5 zones occupying 249 hectares) is to be governed by a protection plan that is to be prepared, approved, and implemented by the city government as quickly as possible. In the Imperial City conservation zone, structures of three storeys and higher, and structures not in keeping with the style and features of the Imperial City, are no longer to be approved; all the existing flat-roof structures within the Imperial City are to be converted to sloping roof structures.

4. The control of the height restrictions of the Old City are to be implemented in accordance with three criteria: all historical protected buildings are to be controlled in accordance with the Cultural Relics Protection Law; all buildings within the historical conservation zones are to be controlled in accordance with the requirements of the Protection Plan; remaining buildings are to be controlled according to the requirements of the Central Beijing District Detailed Control Plan.

5. All ancient relics within the Old City are to be strictly managed according to the Cultural Relics Protection Law. Such relics include World Heritage sites, national level protected sites, city level protected sites, district level protected sites, and including district level temporarily protected and under investigation sites.

6. The traditional names of Old City places are to be protected. Traditional names of streets and hutongs are not to be casually changed.

The Protection Plan for the Old City of Beijing, as promulgated by the Beijing municipal government, has the support of the central government of China, and was put in place on the foundation of broad public opinion support and widely solicited expert advice. Whether or not the plan can be strictly implemented determines the fate of the Old City. On the first of May, 2005, "The Regulations for the Protection of the Famous Historical Culture of Beijing" started to be implemented. The eighth clause of that regulation states that "Every unit and individual person in Beijing has an obligation to protect the historical Old City of Beijing, and moreover has the right to offer proposals regarding the enactment and implementation of the Protection Plan, to dissuade from, inform on, and bring accusations against any activities destructive of the historical city of Beijing".


When we look into the actual condition of the Old City, we find that the protection work has not been assiduously undertaken. The 30 meter green zone, symbolizing the old city wall, can scarcely be found; all over we find buildings that are not in harmony with the overall form and style of the Old City; there are frequently instances of forced demolition of old structures under the pretext that they are hazardous structures, and there seems no way to stop this sort of activity; some of the new structures are seriously in violation of height restrictions, and there is a forest of excessively high buildings is appearing within East Second Ring Road; many historical relics are inappropriately occupied and mis-used, to the extent that their appearance has been totally altered; traditional place names are beginning to disappear, replaced by names expressive of the mentality of the nouveau riche.

The state of affairs described above, to the extent that it occurred prior to the implementation of the plans, stems from stupidity and ignorance; to the extent that it occurred after the implementation of the plans, it is illegal. In the future we shall raise and analyze a few detailed examples of the destruction of the Old City, in order to enlist the public in the effective protection of the Old City of Beijing.

Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (CHP)
http://www.bjchp.org

Suite 2308, Building 5
East Zone 1, Tiantong Garden,
Dongxiaokou Town, Changping District,
Beijing, 102218, China
Telephone: +86 10 61768040, +86 13366082836
Email: information@bjchp.org

China Hopes through establishing "Cultural Heritage Day" to Restore Cultural Self-Confidence

CHP: China Heritage Update 20 Sept 2005

Based on the proposal of several members of the Political Consultative Committee, China is now considering establishing a "Cultural Heritage Day" in order to change the entire nation's attitude towards traditional culture. According to the law, establishing a "Cultural Heritage Day" is to be decided by the national government. Unlike France and other European nations, China prefers to select a well-known traditional festival day, such as Dragon Boat Festival Day, for celebrating "Cultural Heritage Day". This is really good news. We eagerly await the government's decision on this matter.

During the 60s and 70s, when the "Proletariat Great Cultural Revolution" was unfolding, China's traditional culture was severely wounded. When the passion of "Destroy the Four Olds, root out the remnants of feudalism" had not yet completely passed from the scene, while the wounded culture had not yet been restored to health, we Chinese embarked on the era of "Reform and opening". In this "Reform and opening" era, which began in the late 70s and has carried on until today, Chinese people's economic level and freedom of thought and speech were all greatly improved. Nonetheless, one of the terrible consequences of a long period of national isolation, poverty, and dictatorial rule was that many people developed a negative attitude towards their own cultural traditions. From the 90s, China clearly lost a consciousness of its own cultural roots, and cultural self-confidence disappeared. An ever increasing number of Chinese, including the top leadership of the Communist Party, began to express strong dissatisfaction and unease with this state of affairs.

The loss of cultural self-confidence and the destruction of cultural heritage are caused by many factors. The strengthening of education and training of government officials, carrying out cultural heritage work strictly according to the law, and tough punishment of corrupt elements, are all critical measures for protecting cultural heritage. The establishment of a "Cultural Heritage Day", although it cannot directly lead to strengthening of cultural self-confidence, or directly and effectively stop the destruction of cultural heritage, it is nonetheless a big step in the right direction! Because of this, all those who are concerned with cultural heritage protection should be delighted.

Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (CHP)
http://www.bjchp.org

Suite 2308, Building 5
East Zone 1, Tiantong Garden,
Dongxiaokou Town, Changping District,
Beijing, 102218, China
Telephone: +86 10 61768040, +86 13366082836
Email: information@bjchp.org

Da Gao Xuan Temple is Disappearing

CHP: China Heritage Update 14 Sept 2005

"You're not allowed in! We've been watching your every step, and our surveillance camera has been aimed at you". This was what the guard yelled at us when we tried to enter the compound of Da Gao Xuan Temple at 21-23 Jingshan Xi Street in Beijing's Xicheng District to inspect its state of preservation. To be unable to enter this compound was not unusual-- it is a military-restricted zone.

Da Gao Xuan Temple was built in 1542 and served the imperial households of the Ming and Qing Dynasties for their Daoist ceremonies. Located just north of the northwest corner tower of the Forbidden City, it occupies 13,000 square meters, is surrounded by four high walls. The principal buildings in the compound are the Da Gao Xuan Dian, the Altar of the Nine Heavens, and a two storey tall pavilion symbolizing the "Roundness of Heaven" and the "Square of Earth", with a total built area of 1,600 square meters. Because of the extremely high historical and artistic value of the temple, in 1996, it was listed by the State Council as a priority cultural protection unit, accorded the highest protection under the law (see photo #1).

For government units to enter the temple compound to inspect the state of preservation is rather difficult. On several occasions we had contacted officials of the Xicheng District of Beijing and of the Beijing city government with regard to this issue, and the response had always been a resigned "It's a military zone, we can't go in."

Of course, we can't go forcing our way into a military zone, but we nonetheless have found ways to learn about the temple's condition. First, we stood across the street from the main gate of #21 Jingshan Xi Street and photographed the two storey pavilion. It appeared to be used as a car garage and car repair facility. Some flimsy gray brick building was cheek by jowl next to the ancient pavilion. As a result of rebuilding, use, and lack of repair, it had entirely changed from its original appearance. Criss-crossing electrical lines added an element of fire risk (see photo #2). The other temple buildings in the compound should be to the south of the two storey pavilion, on the left of the inside of the main gate at #21 Jingshan Xi Street. We were unable to go inside to photograph, but under the pretext of asking a couple of young people for street directions, we were able to cast a quick glance in that direction and saw a red wall, but it was a scene of dilapidation and messiness. Clearly, Da Gao Xuan Temple is disappearing.

According to the requirements of the Cultural Protection Act, Beijing city government should set the boundary of the temple's protected area, and within that area no construction or engineering work would be permitted that was not related to preservation of the temple, nor would any activities be permitted that might impact on the preservation of the temple and its environment.

We have in fact found the relevant documents of the Beijing City government setting the protected area boundary. Without a doubt, as is evidenced in photograph #2, there are illegal structures and illegal activities going on within the walls of the temple.

The fact that Da Gao Xuan Temple has been declared a national priority cultural protection unit means that it is a part of the national-level cultural heritage. It is located in the center of the Old City of Beijing, and is an important part of the old Imperial City. Since tourists all pass by it constantly, it could hardly be considered a strategic outpost. The military should immediately vacate it and return it to the people and to tourists. The illegal buildings and illegal activities should be dealt with in a set period of time, the existing ancient buildings should be appropriately conserved and repaired, since this is what the law dictates as the government's responsibility.

The preservation of the Old City of Beijing and of the Imperial City are receiving close attention from the entire nation, and indeed from the entire world. We believe that the problems contained within the walls of the temple are like a gaping hole to be filled in with the protection work of the Old City and the Imperial City.

The Communist Party of China and Government of China advocate "The Party stands for the people, the government rules for the people". The present condition of Da Gao Xuan Dian is not only against the law, but it is against what the Party and the Government advocate. So we must fill this gaping hole!


photo #1



photo #2

Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (CHP)
http://www.bjchp.org

Suite 2308, Building 5
East Zone 1, Tiantong Garden,
Dongxiaokou Town, Changping District,
Beijing, 102218, China
Telephone: +86 10 61768040, +86 13366082836
Email: information@bjchp.org

Erroneous Public Conception on the World Heritage

CHP: China Heritage Update 6 Sept 2005

While the devastating Cultural Revolution was unfolding in China, the international community reached a very different consensus: the world's cultural and natural heritage was suffering damage from human activities; such damage was putting the world heritage on the verge of severe degradation; some examples of the cultural and natural heritage of the world are of particular significance, and should be protected as part of the heritage of mankind; therefore international society must work closely together to support the protection of this heritage from any possible damage.

Taking the above consensus as a guideline, the 17th conference of UNESCO passed the "Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage" in Paris on November 16th, 1972. This convention urges each signatory state to "do all it can to this end" to protect its cultural and natural heritage, using as many resources of its own as possible, while at the same time, the international society should also shoulder responsibility for this work.

In order to reach the goal set forth in the convention, UNESCO founded the "World Heritage Committee", whose main responsibility is to compile, update and publish the "World Heritage List", covering the "most valuable and representative heritage". And such heritage will be the key protection objective of the signatory states and the international society. Any heritage that has been listed in the "World Heritage List" will be regarded as a world heritage. According to the Convention, a World Heritage Site should fulfill the following criteria: unique, severely endangered, the home country takes full ownership of site protection, and the international community shoulders responsibility at the same time.

On November 22, 1985, the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress ratified this convention, and China formally became a signatory state. But twenty years after the convention was ratified in China, the prevalent public understanding of the World Heritage Sites in China nowadays is at odds with the spirit of the Convention. The prevalent understanding does recognize the historical significance of these heritage sites, but more as evidence proving the historical and cultural standing of China; instead of considering these heritage sites as seriously endangered, it is concerned that they have not been fully developed and utilized; it does consider the protection of these heritage necessary, but is not willing to take such responsibility, as "those who invest will benefit", so "those who develop should protect"; it also believes the international community should be responsible for the protection of these heritage sites, but only as a way of winning the application for new sites to be granted World Heritage status, and for gaining funding support. In fact, the World Heritage Sites in China are now becoming a synonym for a world-class travel attraction.

This kind of erroneous conception has arisen for three reasons: many top officials regard these heritage sites as inheritance bequeathed by our ancestors and believe they should serve the goal of economic development, so that it would be foolish to be concerned only with protection; a local official's performance in his job is evaluated principally based on economic development criteria, and not by the protection of the cultural or natural heritage; corruption in the field of public resources management has not been adequately addressed.

The convention has been implemented for twenty years, and the World Heritage application process has been undertaken with great success. At this time, there are over 31 Chinese heritage sites on the "World Heritage List". But given the prevalent misunderstanding, the protection afforded these 31 heritage sites is dubious, and some are already in desperate condition. The Convention has emphasized that each state should spare no effort to protect the heritage sites, and the international community should take responsibility. Now if the Chinese government would like to keep its commitment when joining the convention, then it should educate its high officials, take this as an essential part of their administrative performance evaluation, and take effective action in stopping the corruption. The international community should take the responsibility of heritage protection, and should be more proactive. The eleventh clause in the convention regarding the "List of World Heritage in Danger" should be a warning to those countries with poor performance in the world heritage site protection. Some of China's world heritage, including the Great Wall, have been altered almost beyond recognition, and are more endangered than most heritage sites listed in the "List of World Heritage in Danger", but does not appear on that list? Should not UNESCO and the "World Heritage Committee" be more proactive?

(Translated by Matthew Hu from www.wildchina.com)

Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (CHP)
http://www.bjchp.org

Suite 2308, Building 5
East Zone 1, Tiantong Garden,
Dongxiaokou Town, Changping District,
Beijing, 102218, China
Telephone: +86 10 61768040, +86 13366082836
Email: information@bjchp.org