The Borneo Post

Carpenter preserves old Shanghai, one nail at a time

- By Peter Stebbings and Lan Lianchao

SHANGHAI: Carpenter Ma Jiale has spent much of his working life lovingly repairing some of Shanghai’s most attractive — if rather decrepit — historical buildings.

The Chinese city is well known for its skyscraper­s, but its pre- Communist days as a cosmopolit­an trading hub has left a legacy of assorted architectu­re ranging from French-style villas to Edwardian mansions and Art Deco buildings.

Authoritie­s say they are committed to preserving the best of the old structures — and Ma is doing his part.

The 57-year- old grandfathe­r cycles — old tools hanging from the handlebars — from job to job in a pocket of the northeast district of Hongkou.

“If Shanghai only has skyscraper­s, then it is not Shanghai any more,” said Ma, known affectiona­tely in the neighbourh­ood as “Master Ma”.

“I am not saying modernisat­ion is not good, but historical buildings should be preserved,” he added.

In a 2002 report, the World Bank described this part of Hongkou as a key historical site not just in Shanghai, but for China.

Past residents included writers, a Communist Party leader from the late 1920s and, according to local legend, one of Mao Zedong’s ex-wives. Little Tokyo

Recently Ma worked on a century- old house that from the outside would not look out of place in a wealthy London suburb.

Now divided into several rather ramshackle apartments, Ma said that Japanese used to live there — Hongkou was once known as “Little Tokyo”.

Ma uses tools handed down by his predecesso­rs because he fears that modern or electrical ones will damage the original features of the house.

They include arched floortocei­ling front windows, high ceilings and a grandiose tiled fire place.

There are no original drafts to work off so Ma uses his experience and instinct to make the new door frame fit with its surroundin­gs of faded grandeur.

“The meaning of my job is to protect historical buildings and pass on our craftsmans­hip,” said Ma.

“What is made by machines is cold and lacks a human touch.” Playing catch-up

Ma works for a state- owned property management company and proudly declares that he is a member of the ruling Communist Party.

After the Communist takeover 70 years ago, political campaigns denouncing symbols of China’s past “feudal” era consigned many properties to decay.

The Shanghai government is playing catch-up but in recent years stepped up its efforts to protect and preserve historical buildings, Ma said.

But in a country where people are often afraid of speaking out, Ma is open about what he feels is the inadequate upkeep of some of Shanghai’s attractive old architectu­re.

“We just roughly repair windows, doors, floorboard­s, wooden frames,” said Ma, calling for more money to be directed to the preservati­on effort.

“For decades Shanghai’s historical buildings haven’t been well protected Small repairs from property management companies cannot solve the big problem,” he added. Fears for future

There is another lingering worry.

Ma will retire in three years and is eager to pass on his decades of expertise — if only there were budding carpenters out there.

In the neighbourh­ood where he works, there are only four carpenters for a population of more than 10,000 residents, he said.

That inadequate ratio is repeated across Shanghai, he added.

A major reason is the pay — Ma works five days a week and earns about 5,000 yuan ( US$ 750) a month, half the average salary in Shanghai.

For comparison, the 50-square-

If needed, I’m willing to teach young people to do carpenter work. But it’s still too difficult to find young people for this sort of job. I’m very worried that after three to five years, no one will inherit the skills and the protection work cannot continue. Carpenter Ma Jiale

metre apartment he was working on recently sold for five million yuan putting it on a par with central London prices.

Ma said: “If needed, I’m willing to teach young people to do carpenter work. But it’s still too difficult to find young people for this sort of job.”

He added: “I’m very worried that after three to five years, no one will inherit the skills and the protection work cannot continue.”

 ?? — AFP photos ?? A combo of photos taken on Jan 31, 2019 showing carpenter Ma Jiale working in an old building in Shanghai.
— AFP photos A combo of photos taken on Jan 31, 2019 showing carpenter Ma Jiale working in an old building in Shanghai.
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 ??  ?? (Left photos) Ma working in an old building in Shanghai. (Above) Ma Jiale pushing his bicycle between jobs in Shanghai.
(Left photos) Ma working in an old building in Shanghai. (Above) Ma Jiale pushing his bicycle between jobs in Shanghai.

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