Hefty investment plan to restore ancient city sparks controversy in China

A local Chinese government's plan to restore a 2,000-year-old city on the Silk Road with 10 times its annual fiscal revenue has sparked controversy in the underdeveloped northwestern province.

Dunhuang, a wealthy oasis town situated along the ancient Silk Road in today's Gansu Province, is planning to spend about 3 billion yuan (439 million U.S. dollars) on a project to restore some of its glorious past, according a statement by the city's local government.

It said the project was designed to restore the 1 square km city center which is surrounded by the ruins of the ancient city wall.

The restored ancient city would feature the old culture of the Silk Road and showcase ancient architecture, religion, trade and arts of at least 2,000 years ago.

The document said the project was aimed at "highlighting the city's culture and history as well as boosting tourism."

A city government spokesman said the plan was still being drafted and would be submitted for deliberation in April. However, an investment company had already been set up in January to implement the project.

It was not immediately known how the 3 billion yuan would be raised, but the ambitious plan had sparked controversy shortly after it was revealed on Tuesday.

Many have questioned whether the extravagance was worthwhile for Gansu Province, one of the poorest in China, while others shrugged the project off as commercial exploitation under the veil of heritage preservation.

"Just calculate the cost, it's like building a city out of gold," said a commentary published in a newspaper based in Xi'an. "Why don't they spend the money to improve the livelihood of the locals?"

The budget for the development project is 10 times the city's fiscal revenue and about one twentieth of the province's revenue.

The newspaper commentary said Dunhuang city government should reconsider the risk of draining taxpayers money for nothing.

"Instead of developing new attractions, the city should better preserve its existing treasures -- including the priceless frescoes -- and fend off the sprawling desert."

Dunhuang was a wealthy oasis town, and the frescoes and carvings in its Mogao grottoes are some of the best preserved examples of Buddhist art in China.

Source: Xinhua