300-yr-old Chinese brothel sparks debate

BEIJING: A crumbling 300-year-old brothel in central china's Hunan Province has created a public controversy with some netizens calling for its demolition while officials support its restoration.

The brothel, built in 1733 in the ancient town of Jinggang, Hunan Province, is teetering on the verge of collapse and the local government has been pressed to make a decision on its historic value.

Changsha Evening News has reported that the authorities have held meetings to discuss its fate and most officials support protection of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) building known as Hongtaifang.

But many locals have protested, arguing it should be demolished as it represents the worst aspects of China's former feudal system.

Xiao Yisheng, a retired teacher from the Zhongnan University in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, said the brothel was a place where women were humiliated. Its restoration could be seen as promoting prostitution, which was illegal, Xiao said.

However, a commentary under the name Zhifan in the Shanghai-based Jiefang Daily said historic fact should be acknowledged and respected.

“Protection of the terracotta warriors and horses doesn't mean we look approvingly on the atrocities of Qingshihuang, who ordered the giant mausoleum for himself,” the author wrote, adding protection of the brothel should not be taken as approval of prostitution.

The debate has spread to the Internet, with many websites opening special columns on the issue.