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Historical buildings in east China, the heartland of the country's revolution, are an increasing concern to authorities amid strained maintenance expenses and rigid rules.
A series of commemorative activities were held in the former homes of the Chinese Red Army this month to mark the 80th anniversary of the legendary 12,500-km Long March's departure. But terrible conditions of the old sites, typically used for tourism and education purposes in China, have largely embarrassed government officials in the public eye.
In the counties near the major revolution base of Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, such dwellings, mostly mud shacks, are barely livable, with some hovels standing on the verge of collapsing after almost a century of erosion.
The Ge Ancestral Hall, the previous headquarters of a Red Army division in Yudu County, has been rented out to individuals and businesses. Intertwined wires protrude from heavily cracked walls, posing potential danger to residents. It's hard to imagine the original glory of the old residence that accommodated those who paved the way for modern China.
Money shortage is pushing the buildings to the verge of collapse.
Lin Jinshou, a Red Army offspring in Yudu, said the old house of revolution hero Teng Daiyuan, which was listed as a county-level cultural heritage site in Yudu in 2012, is now in danger without additional funds from the local government.
In Ruijin, one of the earliest centers of revolutionary activity for the Communist Party of China (CPC), the number of such cultural relics is slowly dwindling, registering at 116 during the third national relics census in 2011, down from the initial 180.
"The future of history in China's revolutionary bases is crumbling in ruins," said Zhang Xiaoping, an official with the Yudu County Museum.
LACKLUSTER EFFORTS
Tight budgets and rigid renovation rules are dragging out protection efforts, leaving the ramshackle houses trembling in wind and rain.
Zhou Jingchun, curator of the Museum of the Central Revolutionary Base Area in Ruijin, dubbed "Red Capital", told Xinhua that the local government applied for 12 million yuan (1.96 million U.S. dollars) in preservation funds in 2013, which were basically used to protect state-level relics.
"There is simply no money left to repair rugged sites on or below county levels," Zhou said.
But even under financial difficulty, governments at the local level disallow villagers from demolishing or renovating the old sites, most of which are private property, because these buildings are "cultural relics" that need "serious protection."
Authorities traditionally post billboards that read "unmovable cultural relics" on the site walls to prevent villagers from tearing them down. But since no money can be spared, these buildings are left unattended.
Of all the preserved residences in Yudu, houses with such billboards account for 80 percent, signifying the problem that officials and experts grapple with.
Zhang Wensui, who owns 11 old sites in Yudu, said five of them have collapsed in the past five years.
Even in places with sufficient funds, the situation is exacerbated thanks to bad road conditions.
Historical buildings are usually touted as part of a "revolution tour" to woo visitors inland, but poor transportation has become a stumbling block hampering tourism boom in the remote places.
Working staff at Yunshi Mountain in Ruijin told Xinhua that the temple where late revolution leaders Mao Zedong and Zhang Wentian once lived and worked barely attracts visitors due to rugged roads tucked away in the boundless mountains.
Similar situations can be found in Yudu's Buqian Village. Houses are well decorated, but weeds have grown at the front doors as few tourists can be seen trailing there.
As urgency for change mounts, experts are calling for joint efforts in reviving the relics and the "Long March Spirit."
Zhang Xiaoping said the government should come up with a specific mechanism for fund allocation and repair work for the revolution relics.
Apart from limited government investment, Zhang suggested societal capital be flown to the sector to enhance protection.
"For instance, a preservation foundation can be established to specially protect the revolution resources," Zhang added.
Local officials in Gongjiang Township of Yudu spearheaded a reform by relocating the town's culture center to nearby a former residence site, allowing seniors to play chess and read newspapers there.
"I walk 20 minutes here every day," said Li Shiwu, a local resident.
Zhang Xiaoping said that the reform will not only enhance patriotism among the public, but help attend the old sites more effectively.
In Yudu, a 0.4-square-km cultural garden with activities simulating the Long March is currently under construction. The move is expected to bring a vivid experience to tourists, as well as generating revenues to help protect ancient sites, said Liu Qianhua, director with the CPC History Office in Ruijin.
