Chinanews, Beijing, Feb. 6 – A program host from China’s Central Television urged all Starbucks’ cafes to move out of the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace in Beijing, prompting the public to pay attention to the protection of ancient buildings.
A research group from the Central Committee of the China Democratic League (CCCDL) recently launched a survey, which found some ancient sacrificial altars in Beijing had been occupied by private enterprises.
Sacrificial ceremony was one of the most important political and social activities in ancient China. Sacrificial altars have also become crucial thing in proving a nation’s political credibility. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the royal sacrificial system had become complete, which included five main sacrificial sites: Temple of Heaven, Altar of the Earth, Altar of the Sun, Altar of the Moon and Altar of Emperor Yan.
Zhu Ercheng, vice director of CCCDL said that most sacrificial altars had not been properly protected. He revealed that some enterprises had been put up, without authorization, structures around ancient buildings. TV towers and other structures can be seen in their vicinities, seriously affecting the overall landscape.
Zhu hoped all these five main sacrificial sites would be protected properly. Those enterprises that have occupied these places should move out as soon as possible.