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An ancient facility

BEIJING: Historical dross or the nation's heritage? That is the question at the centre of a public controversy over whether to preserve a 300-year-old brothel in China.

Built in 1733 in Jinggang, an ancient prosperous town in Hunan Province, it is on the verge of collapse and the local government has been pressed to make a decision on its historic value.

Local residents were invited to air opinion on whether to repair it or not. Most officials support the protection of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) building. But many locals have protested, arguing it should be demolished as it represents the worst aspects of China's former feudal system. — Xinhua

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