There have been frequent media reports recently saying the Shanghai Hotel, built in 1983, and the Shenzhen Bay Hotel, built in 1985, would be demolished. A five-star hotel would be built at the site of the Shanghai Hotel, the reports said. While authorities said they were yet to approve the program, the news has caused wide debate among citizens.

Li Jinkui, deputy head of Shenzhen urbanization study society:

The Shanghai Hotel used to be a link between urban and suburban Shenzhen. Shenzhen Bay Hotel was the first star hotel between downtown Shenzhen and Shekou. Demolishing the buildings would empty the city’s memory.

If Western countries protect their 200-year-old buildings, Shenzhen should protect its 20-year-old buildings, because in 20 years Shenzhen has achieved what Western countries achieved in 200 years, and the buildings have recorded that history. Protecting the buildings is protecting Shenzhen’s historical status as China’s frontier of reform and opening up.

A construction has both use value and cultural value. The Summer Palace will not be demolished for a new complex, because it has huge cultural value. If the Shanghai Hotel gives way to a taller building, its use value may increase, but its cultural value would vanish.

Neither the Shanghai Hotel nor the Shenzhen Bay Hotel is under the protection of China’s relics-protection law. Considering its special history, Shenzhen should write a local regulation protecting constructions 20 years old or more.

Yang Honghai, city adviser:

If a construction has become a city’s symbol, authorities should be very prudent in transforming it. Shanghai did not demolish its old Jinjiang Hotel, and Guangzhou’s Party secretary said Guangzhou would not demolish its Nanfang Building.

The Shanghai Hotel is a unique construction in the Huaqiangbei commercial center, and so it’s better to leave it intact. However, the Shenzhen Bay Hotel can be rebuilt because several buildings at the Overseas Chinese Town are more representative.

Wang Faxiang, director of the human resources division of Shenzhen Municipal Committee of CPPCC:

The Shanghai Hotel is quite beautiful and can be kept. It is a little too short, but there’s nothing wrong with shortness.

However, its owner has the right to decide its future, and the public should respect the owner’s decision. Of course, the owner still has to get approval from city design authorities.

The Shanghai Hotel’s spokesman:

The Shanghai Hotel has begun to show signs of aging. Some of its facilities now lag behind other hotels in the city, and there are far from enough rooms.

The hotel’s occupancy ranks the highest of the city’s 300 or so star hotels. However, it remains a three-star hotel with 162 rooms.

The new hotel will inherit the style of the old Shanghai Hotel. In this sense, the Shanghai Hotel will not vanish. It will grow up.

Mr. Shao, official with the Shenzhen municipal land resources bureau:

The Shanghai Hotel is not an ordinary construction. It holds an important position in the hearts of citizens and tourist. The land resources bureau has not approved the Shanghai Hotel rebuilding program. Its future will be decided after the first phase of Zhonghang’s transformation program is completed. This means the Shanghai Hotel will remain intact for at least three years.

Miss Yang, resident:

Why demolish the Shanghai Hotel掛 Is it outdated掛 I don’t think high-rises are more beautiful than low buildings. I have been looking at the Shanghai Hotel for more than 10 years. I feel close to it every time I see it.

Mr. Zhang, resident:

When I came to Shenzhen 10 years ago, the Guomao shopping mall was the most famous building in the city, and the Shanghai Hotel was second. Guomao is now buried in high-rises that keep growing in the city. If the Shanghai Hotel does not grow with the city, its function as a city symbol would vanish automatically.

(Shenzhen Daily March 1, 2004)