Walls come tumbling down for 'unsafe' artistic ruins in Shanghai
Shanghai district destroys graffiti installations in name of public safety but not everybody is convinced the popular works were so dangerous
The removal of a series of pictures by street artists in a partly demolished residential compound in Shanghai has sparked a debate over whether the authorities were right to destroy the works.
More than 10 images were painted last month by street artists Shi Zheng and Julien Malland from France, who is also known as Seth Globepainter.
The pictures were a hit online, with many people saying they liked the way the paintings interacted with the derelict buildings and blended in cultural references, including ancient Chinese poems.
Dozens visited the area to see the works, and some couples used the art as backdrops for their wedding photos.
Jingan district authorities have since destroyed the efforts, except for one on a thick wall, China National Radio reported on its website.
Officials were quoted as saying the street art in the partially demolished compound posed a danger to visitors.
One internet user said the idea was ridiculous. "Does that mean the graffiti added to the walls' weight?" one wrote.