Beijing Office Building Seized for Extravagance
Waste watchers in the Chinese government have seized a new luxury office building from a ministry accused of ignoring state orders to avoid extravagance, according to an official report Saturday.
The six-story building on Beijing’s main Changan Avenue contains marble walls and floors, central air conditioning and other luxuries for top officials. It cost $31 million, 3 1/2 times the amount planned.
The China Daily newspaper quoted He Yong, vice minister of supervision, as saying, “This violates the state’s regulations on construction standards for executive office buildings as well as the present austerity drive.” He said the building, completed last year, will be turned over to the Bureau of Government Offices Administration.
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