Local government blamed for demolition of cultural heritage site

The State Administration of Cultural Heritage announced on Tuesday that a local government in Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, is responsible for the recent demolition of an old residence of a late general.

The property, including seven immovable cultural heritage relics, was once lived in by Liu Yalou (1910-1965), a general who was awarded citations of merit for his role in the founding of the People's Republic of China, and functioned as a command post for the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army in the 1930s.

Although the residence was registered as a cultural heritage site in 2013, it was demolished for renovation on June 25 this year by the local government of Shuangcheng district in Harbin.

"The architecture has great historical significance, and the loss is huge," said Liu Mingwei, head of the inspection department under the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.

"Criminal law violation is suspected in the case."

Public security authorities are investigating the case, while restoration of the original appearance of the buildings is also being considered, Liu added.