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Why choose Chiang Ching-kuo's former residence to open a coffee shop?

Published: 2026-04-04 Author: World Gafei

Last Updated: 2026/04/04, A few days ago, a public announcement appeared on the official website of the Management Committee of the West Lake Scenic spot in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, causing a heated discussion in the society. The focus of the dispute is that the site of the new project of the popular Cafe mentioned in the announcement is the former residence of Jiang Jingguo, a cultural relic conservation site in Hangzhou. (Guangming Daily, February 2) there are different voices about whether the former homes of celebrities are suitable for commercial use. But there is no doubt

A few days ago, a public announcement appeared on the official website of the Management Committee of the West Lake Scenic spot in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, causing a heated discussion in the society. The focus of the dispute is that the site of the new project of the popular Cafe mentioned in the announcement is actually a cultural relic protection site in Hangzhou-Jiang Jingguo's old home. (Guangming Daily, February 2)

Whether the former residence of a celebrity is suitable for commercial use or not, there are different voices. But there is no doubt that as long as the status of Chiang Ching-kuo's former residence as a cultural relic protection unit remains unchanged, "protection" should always be its key word.

The regulations on the Management of Business activities of State-owned Cultural relics Protection Units (for trial implementation) issued by the State Administration of Cultural relics in 2011 stipulates that business activities of state-owned cultural relics protection units shall not deviate from the attribute of public culture; shall not lease, contract, transfer or mortgage cultural relics protection units to carry out commercial development for the purpose of profit.

In real life, most of the former homes of celebrities who are included in cultural relics protection units are low-grade cultural relics at the city and county level. there are complex ownership of cultural relics and less protection funds, so it is inevitable to protect them ineffectively or divert them for other purposes. To put it bluntly, these former homes of celebrities with the plaque of "cultural security units" are in need of repair and protection because of their age, but lack of funds, and their fate is often either abandoned or "adopted" by private capital.

"Adoption" cultural security units need a lot of real money and silver input, who is willing to do things that only input but no output? Therefore, after the private capital "adopts" the cultural security unit, it is bound to be developed and utilized. As a matter of fact, cultural relics work implements the policy of giving priority to protection, rescue first, rational utilization, and strengthening management. As long as the development and utilization is reasonable, cultural protection units will not be damaged, but will glow with a "second spring." However, in real life, cultural security units are overexploited and utilized everywhere.

Every former residence of celebrities has many stories and legends, all bearing a period of history. The former residence of celebrities has a high value that can not be measured by money, which needs and deserves the awe and protection of later generations. The basis and premise of the utilization of cultural relic buildings should be to better protect and display the value of cultural heritage.

The most prominent feature of cultural relic architecture is that it is non-renewable, even if it is repaired as old by modern technology, its cultural connotation and heritage will be greatly damaged. There is no doubt that the former residence of Chiang Ching-kuo has been transformed into a cafe, and its original pattern is bound to be destroyed in the process of renovation and transformation, which will be a devastating blow, a destruction that kills the goose that lays the golden eggs, and runs counter to the purpose of protection.

As the citizens say, there are no less than one or two cafes by the West Lake, and we should not lose any of the former homes of celebrities-- cafes can be opened anywhere, but there is only one old residence of Chiang Ching-kuo in Hangzhou. Once the cultural relic building is destroyed, no matter how much money is spent, it cannot be restored. They really can not afford to hurt. I hope that local governments and relevant departments can learn a lesson, be willing to spend money to protect cultural relics and buildings, and give an account to history and future generations.

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