Chai na

Also attending the forum in the Shanghai University College of Fine Arts was Colin Fournier, a visiting professor at the School of Architecture of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

He listed "no emotional resonance" as one of the top characteristics of bad public art, adding unclear symbolism, lack of innovation, mediocre artistry and no sensorial quality.

Li Renqing, secretary general and associate professor of Rural Social Issue Research Center of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, however, put forward another concern by reinterpreting the English word "China" as chai na, which means house demolition.

"It's so pitiful seeing the beautiful ancient buildings being demolished during modernization, which often results in uniform dull-looking blocks," Li said. "To protect those ancient treasures of highest artistic value is actually to create another species of public art for local communities."

Li's point of view was echoed by Chang Wei-huai, manager of Lead Jade Construction Company who felt sad at the loss of old village houses in Taipei.

China lacks an effective legal system for public art, experts agreed.

In Taiwan, policies concerning the development of public art have been enforced since 1992, constantly adapting and adjusting to the development and diversification of public art.

Chinese mainland regulations, drafted in the 1990s, lag behind.