According to a report by China News Service, Qiu Baoxing, vice minister of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, stated on October 21 that China's urban construction suffers from numerous shortcomings: roads and intersections all look the same, building styles are homogenous, landmark buildings lack cultural depth, squares are excessively large and lack purpose, historical districts are demolished indiscriminately, flood control standards are raised blindly without regard for cultural preservation, and urban outskirts are dirty, messy, and unfriendly to the environment. He stated, "If all towns follow the same model, that is very dangerous."

　　Qiu Baoxing said: "Our next generation, standing atop a tall building, looking across the Yangtze River, will see that all towns follow the same model. This is dangerous. At that time, they will curse us, asking what the designers and authorities were doing."

　　The report also quotes Qiu Baoxing as saying, "Currently, introducing highway structures and models into cities is terrible, as it lacks identifiability." "At our road intersections, four tall buildings rise from the ground, and every intersection is identical, indistinguishable from the others."

　　Qiu Baoxing believes that: "A road should reflect its characteristics through landscaping, buildings, and bridges. A road should ideally have continuity, forming a whole through contrasting architectural styles, with a clear direction."

　　Qiu Baoxing stated: "Rulers always want to build structures representative of their era. A philosopher once said that those in power are most eager to leave their mark on the earth. Take Hangzhou as an example. We have built so many landmark buildings, yet the only landmark building recognized by citizens is the Baochu Pagoda, built 300 years ago." "Space is impactful, not because of its size, but because of harmony, stories, and culture."

　　Qiu Baoxing believes that current priorities should include holding a "beautifying urban and rural design competition"; promptly formulating landscape protection plans for rivers, lakes, coastlines; designating "green lines" for public green spaces, biodiversity areas, and ecological protection zones; formulating plans for historical districts and cultural relic protection areas, and designating virtual and real "purple lines" for spatial control; designing urban and rural spaces, parks, and transportation in conjunction with energy conservation and emission reduction policies; and conducting in-depth research into the aesthetic factors of traditional historical buildings, gardens, and urban and rural culture to create a unique urban and rural image.