Chinese Embassy in US Vandalized with ‘Demolish’ Graffiti
by Bing on Saturday, July 13, 2013
by Bing on Saturday, July 13, 2013
From QQ: (no longer accessible)
[Chinese Character] “Demolish” Appears on Gate Pillars of Chinese Embassy in the US; Suspected Graffiti from Protesters
[Note: The character “拆” (chai, to demolish or dismantle) is commonly seen in China written on buildings to be torn down for new construction or redevelopment, and has sometimes been seen as a symbol of the Chinese government's “bullying” policy that allows forced evictions and demolitions.]
On the early morning of 2013 July 10, three graffiti Chinese characters “拆” ["demolish"] appeared on the courtyard gate posts and the entrance of the office building for China’s embassy in the United States. American media claimed that this may be protesters expressing dissatisfaction and protest with the forced demolition in certain parts of China.
According to TaKung comprehensive reports, two Chinese characters “拆” were sprayed in blue and black paint appeared on the gate pillars on both sides of Chinese Embassy in the US. Because the embassy posts are gray, it was very conspicuous.
From the pictures, we can’t see guards in the front gate of the embassy, but there are cameras mounted on the pillars. Thus after retrieving the surveillance footage, it should be not difficult to see the graffiti artist’s face. As of press time, the embassy has not yet offered a response to this incident.
Some American media have claimed that this might be people using graffiti to express their dissatisfaction to protest the forced demolition in certain parts of China.
China’s central government had issued many documents, emphasizing that violent demolition and compulsory relocation are not allowed, but under the impetus of economic development, illegal problems such as forced demolition still exists with some local governments.
According to reports, the Chinese embassy in the US held the ceremony for opening a new embassy in 2008 July, which was designed by famous Chinese-American architect Ieoh Ming Pei’s Pei Partnership Architects, and his two sons: Bei Jianzhong and Bei Lizhong. Groundbreaking formally started 2005 April 22. In order to ensure the safety and security of the embassy, construction workers and building materials were transported directly from China to Washington D.C..
What is interesting is that the new US embassy in China held its opening ceremony when US President George W. Bush was in Beijing to attend the Olympic Games. Media claimed at that time that the capitals of the two large countries of China and the United States holding new embassy opening ceremonies respectively could be called a grand occasion in the diplomatic history between China and the United States.
Comments on QQ:
腾讯安顺市网友 快乐的男人:
American is not professional. The character of “拆” is not standard! It is supposed to be in red paint, writing a very big “拆” domineeringly first then painting a circle around the calligraphy in red paint.
