(Ecns.cn)--National-level palaces like the Great Hall of the People, the Imperial Palace, and the Centennial Hall of Peking University are widely believed to represent the model image of China. For quite some time, many have chosen to visit these places in hopes of learning more about the country.
But in recent years, more and more business activities have been approved to be held in these places, slowly eroding them with the smell of coin. Business promotion events can be seen in the Great Hall of the People; private lounges have been built in the Imperial Palace; and activities of foreign fashion brands are seen in the National Museum.
Not long ago, the China Youth Daily and its website conducted a survey of 17,293 people in 31 provinces and cities in China on whether it is acceptable to hold business activities in national-level palaces.
Among the respondents that were mostly young people born after 1980, about 68.3 percent objected to it, saying that holding business activities in these places is like polluting the country.
Money can't talk all the time
Jin Zhe, an employee of an IT company in Hebei Province, once participated in an event sponsored by an insurance company in the Great Hall of the People. Besides ordinary customers of this insurance company, other guests that showed up to the event were famous people.
"It is said that the room where the activity was held could contain over 100 people, and the rental fee for half a day is 30,000 to 40,000 yuan (US$4,702 to 6,269)," said Jin. But since holding activities in such a national-level palace can help promote the company and attract celebrities, companies are willing to spend such a large amount of money.
"The Great Hall of the People is a representation of the political image of China, but many people use it as a tool to make profits," said Zhao Shilin, professor at Minzu University of China. "In some sense, holding business activities in these serious places is a sign that China is entering into a time when only money talks."
"National-level palaces should not reduce their base line and bend to business interests, or it will harm the national image and even the nation's dignity," said Lu Jiansong, professor at Fudan University. "We never hear about a business billboard being built in front of the Capitol in Washington D.C. or a private lounge established in the Louvre."
Inviting business activities in these places may mislead young people, who after seeing too many of the activities will take it for granted that business activities should be held there. About 75.3% of respondents think that if only money can open the door of these places to business activities, it will bring great harm to social morality and lead teenagers much closer to materialism.
