Broadcasting Time: 2006-03-27




(Photo Source: xinhua)

A businessman bought a 12-storey landmark building through an auction, only to later discover that it is falling apart and unusable. Recent safety inspections have declared that the towering construction is unqualified to be left standing in its current state. But how could it have passed safety inspections, and been auctioned off to a new owner? How can this dispute be solved?

Hello and welcome to another edition of Frontline. I'm Wu Jia.

Liu Jiafeng is a businessman from Ji'an (吉安) in east China's Jiangxi Province. In 2003, he bought Hongfa (宏发) Building located in the downtown area of his small city. The purchase cost him more than eight million yuan, or about one million US dollars. Originally planning to transform this building into a three-star hotel, Liu Jiafeng instead found himself trapped by his large acquisition. The building, which was constructed in the 1990s, was actually in a dilapidated state and could collapse at any time. Liu Jiafeng was shocked to learn this, as its previous owner had assured him the building passed all inspections conducted by a local construction quality inspection organization, and was approved for sale. CRI's reporter James West brings you the details of the story.

Generally, to succeed in buying a high-rise in a city's downtown area is something anyone would be proud of, but Liu Jiafeng feels just the opposite. In his own words, "he lives each day in fear and anxiety."

"This building feels like an axe hanging over my neck. If one day it collapses, not only will I be penniless, but I will also be responsible for the damage to nearby properties and to the lives of any affected passers-by."
Liu says he bought the building in August 2003 from a local business group called Ji'an Supply and Marketing Cooperative, which had invested in the building's construction.