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China's Demolition Derby Turns History Into Rubble

NPR | By Louisa Lim
Published February 8, 2012 at 5:05 PM EST
Liang Sicheng, known as the father of modern Chinese architecture, lobbied Mao Zedong to preserve ancient buildings in Beijing. Despite efforts to have his former courtyard home in Beijing preserved as a cultural relic, it was recently demolished.
Louisa Lim
/
NPR
Liang Sicheng, known as the father of modern Chinese architecture, lobbied Mao Zedong to preserve ancient buildings in Beijing. Despite efforts to have his former courtyard home in Beijing preserved as a cultural relic, it was recently demolished.
Yan Lianke is one of China's most famous authors, known for his absurdist stories about sensitive subjects. He moved into a new house in 2008, and a year later was told it would be knocked down to make way for development.
Louisa Lim / NPR
/
NPR
Yan Lianke is one of China's most famous authors, known for his absurdist stories about sensitive subjects. He moved into a new house in 2008, and a year later was told it would be knocked down to make way for development.

Copyright 2012 NPR
Louisa Lim
Based in Beijing, NPR international correspondent Louisa Lim finds China a hugely diverse, vibrant, fascinating place. Lim opened NPR's Shanghai bureau in February 2006.