An illegal building due for demolition in Shanghai was apparently spared after it was covered at the last minute with posters bearing the face of President Xi Jinping, a news report said today.

Bulldozers appeared to have spared the large prefabricated property in the city centre out of deference to the leader’s image on Friday, the South China Morning Post reported, adding that policemen were seen late yesterday removing the posters.

Observers saw references to China’s cultural past, the report said.

Chen Daoyin, a professor at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, said the posters were reminiscent of images of gods that would be stuck over doors to keep evil spirits out. “Deep down, the psychological dynamics are the same,” he was quoted as saying.

A Hong-Kong based commentator said the incident reminded him of a case during the Cultural Revolution when relics or other materials would be covered with portraits of then-leader Mao Zedong to prevent them from being destroyed by overzealous inspectors.

“What the owner of this property is doing is just another rendition of the same old tune,” Johnny Lau Yui-siu was quoted as saying.

Temporary or prefabricated buildings, known as ‘nail properties’, have become an increasing problem in China amid rapid urbanisation, with frequent evictions and demolitions for development projects.

- dpa