Commercial plan for historic home raises concern

A commercial plan for a former residence of Chiang Ching-kuo, a former Taiwan leader, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, has been praised as a good means of drawing visitors and criticized as endangering its cultural value. Lin Yunlong / for China Daily

The old Hangzhou residence of former Taiwan leader Chiang Ching-kuo, son of former Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-shek, may soon be made into a McDonald's coffeehouse, arousing controversy.

The Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area environmental protection bureau released on Tuesday its approval of McDonald's application to open the coffeehouse in Chiang's old residence.

According to the plans, the 335-square-meter coffeehouse will have 100 seats. Unlike traditional McDonald's restaurants, the venue will sell mainly coffee and desserts.

The house, built in 1931, is located in Hangzhou's West Lake Scenic Area. Chiang and his family lived there from the end of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45) until they left for Taiwan in 1949.It is said that most plants in the yard had been planted by Chiang himself.

The news triggered public discussion, with some people concerned that using the house for commercial purposes would destroy its cultural elements.

Huang Guanghua, a 65-year-old retired history teacher who lives near the house, said he opposes the idea.

"We have lost so many historical sites and artifacts during the process of commercialization. Why not just let the house stand there quietly?" he asked.

In 2002, an entrepreneur turned the former residence of the renowned bridge engineer Mao Yisheng into a coffeehouse, and only its exterior was left intact.

Huang said that such a thing should not happen again.

"Historical sites should not be forgotten during economic development," he said.

However, Zhong Xiangping, an expert on historic Hangzhou houses, said that with proper protection, the coffeehouse could serve as a model for how to open old houses to the public.

"We can see it as a proper way to put the house to use. Of course, no changes should be made to its interior. I believe the house has been closed to tourists for years, and a coffeehouse would definitely bring people to visit," he said.

Zhong said that most of the more than 100 old residences of celebrities in Hangzhou have been turned into museums, but they have few visitors.

"Most often, the security guards and tour guides outnumber the tourists. It's time to think of new ways to develop these houses," he said.

Zhong said that the coffeehouse could have an exhibition area where pictures and documents related to Chiang could be exhibited.

Lyu Xiongwei, deputy director of the Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area Administration Commission, said the project has not received final approval as it is under a seven-day public notice period, during which suggestions and criticism for the plan may be given.

"We will make sure the house is developed properly," he said.