Saving the Past

Background
In episode 5 of Made in China, you saw how Mr. Zhao Jingxin of Beijing lost a battle to save his 16th century historic home. Located in the heart of Beijing, the land was considered too valuable to reserve for an old house. Instead, the area has become a booming commercial district. On the land where Mr. Zhao’s house once stood now stands a multi-story bank building. Is this the price of progress? Or does the story strike you as a modern tragedy?

There’s more to the story . . .

• Read the Newsweek article on Mr. Zhao’s efforts to save his Ming Dynasty home. This article also profiles a Beijing historic preservation advocate.

Questions:

• What kind of house does Mr. Zhao of Beijing own? What happened to his house?
• Quickly research the city of Beijing China. What is its population? Describe its location and landscape features. What is its history? What role does it play in today’s modern China? Why might preservation be difficult in a city like Beijing? Why might it be important?
  

Plan a class debate
For this exercise, students may form their own teams based on shared beliefs or be assigned. Each team should research the issues necessary to explain and advocate its position. Here are some possible debate positions. They are only suggestions.

Position 1: Beijing should, at all costs, preserve its historic character and save more old houses

Position 2: Beijing shouldn’t worry about preservation but should focus instead on finding pragmatic solutions to its present housing and infrastructure problems

Position 3: Beijing should find a way to both preserve its historical neighborhoods and develop modern buildings

Position 4: Beijing cannot afford to preserve many historic buildings. Preservation should happen elsewhere, in suburbs or smaller towns where there is less pressure to develop valuable land.