McDonald's and Starbucks face backlash after opening locations in a cultural heritage site in China

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Hangzhou China

Flickr/ganso-org

Hangzhou, China

Conservationists are protesting fast-food chains opening in an historic site in Hangzhou, China.

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Officials decided earlier this year to lease a cultural heritage site, which housed former Taiwanese president Chiang Ching-kuo for a short period in 1948, to McDonald's and Starbucks despite controversy, reports the BBC. A 100-seat McCafe opened recently on the first story, and a Starbucks location opened upstairs in September.

The decision to rent out the villa was reportedly influenced by the need to cover maintenance costs.

The villa, located near the city's famous West Lake, was designated a cultural heritage site by Hangzhou officials in 2003.

Despite the short length of Chiang Ching-kuo's in the home, conservationists argue that the site is symbol of China and Taiwan's shared history, and should be turned into a museum exploring the relationship between the two countries.

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"When McDonald's China took over the site, we also took over the commitment to preserve its heritage," a McDonald's spokesperson told Business Insider in a statement. "Since then, we have been working with relevant authorities and architects to ensure the conservation of the villa's structure and style. We remain committed to this protection while providing a convenient spot for tourists to rest and enjoy the surrounding environment."

"This site was approved for commercial use and we were granted the necessary government permits and licenses to operate within the premises," a Starbucks spokesperson told Business Insider in a statment. "We are very grateful and proud to be part of the local communities in which we operate and have a deep respect for China's cultural and historical heritage."

The area surrounding West Lake is a major tourist spot in Hangzhou. The area was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, as it has served as an inspiration for famous poets, scholars, and artists since the 9th century.

With tourists, of course, comes fast-food. Even prior to the opening of the Western chains in Chiang's villa, the area surrounding West Lake was peppered with McDonald's and Starbucks.

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