Renovation of Beijing Xianliang Ancestral Hall Begins

A major project to repair Beijing's ancient Xianliang (the virtuous and talented) Ancestral Hall, the former site of China Women's University (CWU), began on March 15.

Cai Shumin, Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and deputy head of the ACWF's leading group for the renovation project, inspected the site on the same day.

She was accompanied by other officials from the ACWF and the Shichahai sub-district office of Xicheng District, Liu Liqun, President of the CWU and also the head of the renovation project's working group, and Zhao Hao, a standing member of CWU's Party committee and executive deputy chief of the working group.

After hearing reports on the project from major participating companies, Cai praised the preparation work and emphasized the significance of the project as part of traditional Chinese culture as well as Beijing's efforts to apply for World Cultural Heritage status for the city's central axis.

Zhao Guoliang, deputy general manager of Beijing Dongxing Construction Co, said his company attached great importance to the project and would strive to meet relevant construction requirements and standards and enhance management and supervision in order to ensure the quality and safety of the project, which would also be environmentally friendly.

Xu Yonggang, the deputy general manager of Beijing Fangting Project Management Co, said a professional team from his company was responsible for supervising the project. Project design and procedures would be respected, and efforts would be made to enhance quality and safety management and to ensure the fulfillment of all investment and schedule targets, he added.

"The project would be carried out according to design and norms. Efforts would also be made to ensure timely communication and settlement of any issues that could hamper smooth progress of the project," said Zhao Ganchuang, vice-president of Beijing Huayuxing Gardening and Ancient Construction Design Institute.

Cai said all parties involved in the renovation project should enhance their sense of responsibility, quality and safety. Project management should be enhanced to make sure that the renovation project complies with construction and environmental standards and requirements.

Besides, she urged the project team to work with the Beijing municipal government and coordinate issues related to the relocation of residents and cultural relics and make full use of supportive policies.

Liu Liqun thanked ACWF's leadership for its support as well as participating companies' contributions. She called on participators in the project to implement the requirements of the ACWF's leading group and optimize personnel management, technological services and construction organization.

The project should comply with relevant policies, rules and regulations, contract terms and planned design. She also hoped that participants would take responsibility, employ a tiered management with appropriate division of labor and close cooperation.

Hai Feng and Bi Dongjun, officials from Shichahai sub-district office of Beijing's Xicheng District, said they would work with CWU closely in addressing relevant issues and give full support to the project. In addition, they made proposals on construction conditions, safety issues and environmental protection.

Liu Zhenghua, director of the general office of the ACWF's leading group for the project, set requirements concerning operations, internal and external coordination, construction standards, safety and security, administrative procedures and professionalism.

Located in A 103, Di'anmen West Street, Xicheng District, the Xianliang Ancestral Hall is among Beijing's preserved cultural relics. Due to potential safety risks, the university had applied for special funding for renovating dilapidated old houses in the hall. The project was approved by the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage in 2017 before being listed as a key renovation project for the World Cultural Heritage bid in 2018.

(Source: China Women's University / Translated and edited by Women of China)