China auctions lavish building

The building was designed by French architect Paul Andreu

Officials in the Chinese province of Sichuan have announced plans to auction a lavish government building, the cost of which has prompted public anger.

The proceeds of the sale will go to the relief effort for victims of the huge earthquake in the region in May.

The building was built using public funds, but no expense was spared.

It was designed by French architect Paul Andreu - who also designed the new terminal at Charles de Gaulle airport and Beijing's new national theatre.

Public anger

The new local government building in Chengdu consists of a giant glass dome with six spurs around it, resembling the leaves of a lotus flower.

The complex and the landscaped gardens surrounding it are reported to have cost nearly $180m (£90m).

When rumours began to spread on the internet that city officials had moved into the building just three days after the earthquake that killed nearly 70,000 people, there was an angry public reaction.

The internet forums - which are the focus for much criticism of the Chinese authorities - were bombarded with messages.

Analysts say the Chengdu government now seems to have taken these comments to heart.

According to state media, the building will be auctioned to the highest bidder and the proceeds will go towards rehousing earthquake victims and rebuilding the parts of Sichuan province that were destroyed.

The gleaming new structure itself survived the earthquake unscathed.