A Chinese private foundation recently announced they will invest 20 billion yuan, or 2.8 billion US dollars, in building a replica of the Yuanmingyuan gardens, which has caused heated debate. Some people fear that such commercial activity will cheapen the status of the royal garden, while others claim it will carry forward traditional Chinese culture.

And how has the foundation reacted to the issue? CRI's Zheng Chenguang has more.

Reporter:

Nearly 150 years after Anglo-French forces stormed into Beijing's Yuanmingyuan and burnt it to the ground, the Hengdian Group intends to build a replica in Hengdian, a city in east China's Zhejiang Province. The park will be located at Hengdian World Studios, a filming base and subsidiary company of the Hengdian Group.

Liu Rongdong (刘荣栋), the vice president of Hengdian World Studios says the idea's from the founder of Hengdian Group Xu Wenrong (徐文荣).

Xu Wenrong has deep affection for our traditional culture. Yuanmingyuan is a masterpiece in Chinese architectural history. So he wants to bring its glory back to life for the public.

The Hengdian Group plans to build a similar-sized imitation of the Qing Dynasty complex, which consisted of three main building clusters: the Yuanming, Changchun and Yichuan gardens. It will cover more than 400 hectares while 40 percent will be water.

The company needs to raise 20 billion yuan in funds for the project, including six billion yuan for construction and 14 billion to replicate the antiques.

Many opponents think such a huge project is a waste of money. Qin Yue(秦月), a tourist in Zhejiang, is one of them.

I think a Yuanmingyuan replica is totally unnecessary. The present-day ruins are a testimony to that period of history; it can still fill us with patriotism. However, the replica will waste money and manpower. The funds should be used for something more meaningful.

Facing such resistance, Liu Rongdong explained that the replica will have a very different meaning from the relics in Beijing, and it will offer people a new perspective.

The one in Beijing represents our history. It is a period of history that still makes us feel pain. However the replica shows our achievements in architecture. We should view it with pride.

Liu also claims that the imitation has many social values, which makes it worth building.

The project can help us improve the environment and beautify our hometown. The film industry and tourism in Hengdian will also develop, and it will become a patriotic education base.

According to a local official Zhao Xiaoxian(赵小仙), the plan has already received the support of the township government.
Of course, the local government strongly supports the program. We hold a positive attitude towards the issue.

The layout work of the replica has been completed. The Hengdian Group will hold a press conference in Beijing in February to further explain the financial issues of its construction and announce the exact date when the project will start.

Zheng chenguang, CRI news.