Xi’s call for end to ‘weird architecture’ stirs debate
Internet users were divided yesterday after President Xi Jinping called for an end to "weird architecture" in a country enjoying a huge building boom.
Internet users were divided yesterday after President Xi Jinping called for an end to "weird architecture" in a country enjoying a huge building boom.
Much of the mainland's older building stock is made up of Soviet-style concrete blocks, but in recent years property development has played a huge economic role.
The phenomenon has drawn architects from around the world, from big names such as Zaha Hadid to younger designers whose reputations are still being established in the West.
Xi made the comments on Wednesday as he held a surprise meeting with a group of writers and artists which lasted for more than two hours, the reported on its WeChat social media account yesterday.
The report said Xi told the group Beijing should build "no more weird architecture".
Many web users welcomed Xi's call. "My understanding is that 'no weird architecture' targets the property owners rather than the architects. Some unscrupulous owners should be reined in now," said one social media user.
But other users questioned whether Xi's comments were appropriate, voicing concerns over their potential impact on creative freedom.
"The 'weird architecture' is voluntarily chosen by the owners and the designers," said one, asking: "Do you want to replace millions of others' aesthetic sense with your own?"
At the symposium, a senior playwright of the People's Liberation Army complained to Xi about the "softness" in some recent works by military artists. Xi, whose wife is PLA singer Peng Liyuan , agreed they should reflect an appropriate tone.
"[Otherwise,] why are they dressing in military uniforms? Why are we spending so much military funding to maintain so many artistic troupes?" Xi said, according to comments aired in a special programme on state television.
