[2] "Jingzhou Carelessly Lost Lord Guan," who is responsible for the massive illegal construction?
[4] Compiled from: Red Star News
Case review
On October 8, 2020, the giant Guan Yu statue in Jingzhou was reported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and ordered to rectify. The report stated that the giant Guan Yu statue, built within the historical city area of Jingzhou's ancient city, stands 57.3 meters tall, violating the relevant regulations of the "Jingzhou Ancient City Protection Ordinance" and damaging the ancient city's appearance and historical context.
According to reports, the Guanyi Park, where the Guan Yu statue is located, began construction in 2014, with the infrastructure completed and trial operations starting in 2016, but fire safety acceptance has never been passed. Multiple official documents show that the aforementioned Guan Yu statue was "constructed without planning permission" and constitutes "illegal construction."
According to CCTV's "Focus Report," the giant Guan Yu statue cost 172.9 million yuan. During the two-year construction period, relevant authorities remained indifferent despite the project not having obtained approval.
On November 17, 2020, Jingzhou established a leading group and a special task force to actively promote project rectification and scientifically formulate a relocation plan.
Recently, the giant Guan Yu statue in Jingzhou has begun dismantling and transfer work, with the statue's head already removed. It is understood that in the Guan Yu statue demolition project, the total investment for reassembly at a different location is 40 million yuan, with the project named "Disassembly and Reassembly of the Statue's Copper Plates," and the total investment for the relocation project is 155 million yuan.
The "Jingzhou Ancient City Protection Ordinance"
[1] Article 24
[2] The municipal people's government shall strictly protect the historical features, traditional layout, and natural environment of the ancient city.
[3] No new or expanded industrial enterprises shall be built within the ancient city; other new construction, renovation, or expansion projects shall conform to the historical features and protection plan of the ancient city.
[4] Construction activities within the ancient city shall comply with the following height restrictions:
[5] (1) No other construction projects shall be carried out within the protected area of the Jingzhou city wall. However, if other construction projects are necessary under special circumstances, the eaves height of the buildings shall be controlled below six meters;
[6] (2) In the first-class construction control zone of the Jingzhou city wall, the eaves height of buildings shall be controlled below twelve meters.
(III) Within the Class II construction control zone of the Jingzhou city wall, the eaves height of buildings inside the wall shall be controlled below 15 meters, while the eaves height of buildings outside the wall shall be controlled below 24 meters.
The ancient city historical and cultural districts, historic buildings, and cultural heritage protection units at all levels shall, under the above height control, also comply with their respective protection scopes and construction control requirements.
Buildings that do not meet the above regulations shall be gradually reduced in height, renovated, or demolished in accordance with the law. Specific measures shall be formulated by the municipal government.
[1] The author's perspective
Previously, some suggested that although the Guan Yu statue is an illegal structure, since it has already been built at great cost, it might as well be retained with only a fine imposed—this would add a tourist attraction and avoid the trouble of relocation. While this approach has some benefits, the drawbacks are greater. Would people then assume that illegal structures, once built, cannot be demolished and can simply be resolved by paying a fine? Such a shortcut-oriented approach is absolutely unacceptable; otherwise, in the long run, paying money to solve all problems would lead to increasing social chaos.
Returning to this matter, the giant Guan Yu statue may appear majestic, but it ultimately violates regulations. Isn't the cost of 170 million yuan for construction and 155 million yuan for relocation a waste? The root issue lies with the builder, but the statue was not built overnight. Over the years of construction, did the government never notice? If it did, was it due to disregard for laws and regulations, or was it blinded by short-term economic gains? In ancient times, Guan Yu lost Jingzhou due to carelessness; today, Jingzhou loses Guan Yu due to carelessness! Though this is a jest, it is no laughing matter—not just because 300 million yuan has gone down the drain, but also because if similar incidents occur in the future, who will foot the bill?
