Recently, multiple netizens have posted videos exposing a suspicion that the village Party secretary in Xiangyang, Hubei province, has allegedly built a 1500-square-meter building in violation of regulations, which led to the secretary threatening the villagers who recorded the video.
The videos revealed that a village official named Xiao in Shenying Village, Dongjin Town, Dongjin New District of Xiangyang City, has constructed a five-story building with a total area of 1500 square meters along Xiangjin Avenue, suspected of occupying land illegally and building without proper permits.
In the footage, Xiao threatened the villagers recording the videos, saying, “What does my 1500-square-meter house have to do with you? If you keep filming my house, I will have to tell you something.”
Xiao’s statements quickly ignited a firestorm on the internet, with netizens promptly nicknaming the building as the “123 Tower.” Some even pinpointed the location of the building on the map, attracting many people to visit and take photos at the site.
Furthermore, some netizens disclosed that the land plot where the building stands had long been designated for requisition, indicating that the construction of the building was not intended for residential purposes but to maximize compensation during eventual demolition.
Following the uproar on social media, on April 14, the Administration Committee of Dongjin New District in Xiangyang announced the formation of a joint investigation team to look into the matter. Currently, Xiao has been dismissed from his position.
Videos shared by netizens showed that the controversial building started to be demolished on April 13. According to reports from “Zhengzai News” and others, on the morning of April 14, a section of Xiangjin Avenue where the building is located was cordoned off. Several police cars and engineering vehicles were present, with roadblocks set up, forcing vehicles to divert through Luming Road to reach the intersection of Chushan Road and Xiangjiang Avenue.
In response, local traffic police stated that the timing for reopening the road was uncertain. Officers from the local police station mentioned that the media should not inquire about the situation, stating that “We don’t have specific details, but in any case, no interviews.”
Local residents expressed discontent, questioning the casual closure of the main entrance to their residential area, saying, “How can they arbitrarily block off our main entrance?” “Who is the ‘123 Tower’ mocking? Such a large building doesn’t pop up overnight, yet no action was taken until it made the news.” “There are many cases reported that haven’t been addressed.”