China starts repairing controversial TV tower

Beijing - Workers have started repairing a fire-damaged tower next to the new Beijing headquarters of state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), sources said on Thursday. Fire blackened most of the outer surfaces of the hotel and arts center in February after CCTV executives organized a display of giant fireworks outside the building to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year.

High fences have cordoned off the 159-meter tower since the fire, but workers could be seen on the upper stories on Thursday.

"The concrete structure of the building was not damaged by the fire and can be repaired," German architect Ole Scheeren told the German Press Agency dpa.

Many Chinese commentators had criticized the striking design of the boot shaped tower and the main, angular arch, which together form the landmark CCTV complex in Beijing's Chaoyang business district.

The fire delayed completion of the main building by six to nine months, but work was "now fully under way," Scheeren said.

"We expect the new broadcast center to be finished by the middle of next year," he said.

Beijing residents initially likened the center, co-designed by Scheeren and Dutch architect Rem Kolhaas, to giant trouser legs or boxer shorts.

Some critics decried the two buildings as representing male and female genitals.

"The main building looks like a naked woman on her knees, with her backside facing the viewer, and the annex building has the shape of a phallus," wrote Xiao Mo, a retired professor of architecture of Beijing's prestigious Qinghua University.

Outraged over the "giant bottom," Xiao joined forces with others who consider it a national disgrace, which is believed to have cost about 1 billion dollars, to be torn down.

Scheeren said he was "surprised by the size of the reaction" against the complex.

"There is still a long way to go to open this media organization (CCTV) and bring it closer to the ordinary people," he said.

"We still have the hope that the buildings will contribute to that."

The fire-damaged smaller tower was "for the public" and contained cultural facilities including a hotel, theatre, cinemas and conference halls, Scheeren said.

"It's a pity that it happened before this was clear to everyone," he said of the fire.

Many Chinese were annoyed that foreign rather than domestic architects have designed many of Beijing's most prestigious new buildings.

Others complained about the cost of a showpiece complex for CCTV, which many see as a stilted propaganda organ of the ruling Communist Party.

Police detained 12 people after the blaze, including four CCTV employees and eight workers from the company which set off the fireworks.

A police spokesman said CCTV managers had ignored police safety warnings and insisted on going ahead with their spectacular firework display.

One 30-year-old firefighter died from smoke inhalation while battling the blaze.