From Yulun Jiandu, translated by CDT:
According to a story of Jan. 25 issue of Tianjin Tonight, a local newspaper, the public-recognized “corruption buildings” won the 2005 Lu Ban (È≤ÅÁè≠) award, the most prestigious construction and architecture prize in China.
It is learned that 85 projects are last year’s Lu Ban awardees, including four in Tianjinn namely the general hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tanggu Disctrict Zhengtong Towers (a.k.a corruption buildings), Taida Soccer Stadium and the overpass bridge at Kunlun Road in Tianjin.
The three other projects justify congratulations as they were the products under the Tianjin government’s leadership that are of public interests and benefits. But Zhengtong Towers are government office buildings that Tanggu district officials moved in in September 2004, and better known as “corruption buildings.”
If Zhengtong Towers are for commercial use or for people’s entertainment, then its winning the award is not much a controversy. But in fact, their so-called “government office purposes” are nothing but relaxation and self-entertainment. No doubt that this betrays its essence of corruption.
More irritating is that those officials rack their brains to do their promotion via the award. For what? An entry of political achievement in architecture. And they spent big bucks to hire a famous French architect to design the buildings.
It’s fair to say that some government officials get carried away in the wave of market economy, dreaming big and foreign, self-indulging in pleasure. They are detached from the masses and pursue unrealistic “fashion.” This is a huge waste on state resources and amount to crime.
Hope that these officials can properly address public supervision, move out of there timely and make the buildings a true awardee. [Full Text in Chinese]
See more pictures of the “corruption buildings”
