Demolition Under Way For Controversial Villa On Top Of Apartment Building

BEIJING: Zhang Biqing, known as 'Professor Zhang', started building his elaborate residence about six years ago on the roof of a busy residential compound at West Beijing's Haidian District.

Residents had expressed their anger at the penthouse, complaining about the illegal construction for years, with no success of stopping MrZhang's grand project that has fake hills, real greens and even a swimming pool.

That was until a few days ago, when the building was spotted by internet users and the pictures of the site were posted and widely circulated among popular Chinese social networks, that caught the attentions of local and international media.

A warrant was issued on Wednesday with a 15-day demolition order.

Haidain's local city administrative management bureau, commonly referred by Chinese as 'urban thugs', was allegedly involved in the bribery from MrZhang to turn a blind eye to the site.

One officer Chen Yu told reporters on Tuesday that they were having difficulties getting hold of Mr Zhang in order to 'investigate the case'.

The demolition started around 8am, with workers coming from outside Beijing. Residents said the dismantling of part of the site was ongoing.

Mr Zhang, who became famous after inventing a system of Chinese acupuncture treatment, told local reporters the workers were the same group who built the villa and he would not be present during the process.

One family who lives at the opposite building told Sky News that the work was hugely intrusive.

They said it was loud and very bright and it meant they could not open their curtains at night.

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Demolition Under Way For Controversial Villa On Top Of Apartment Building