China’s fake Sphinx to be demolished after Egypt complains

A replica of Egypt’s iconic Sphinx built in northern China will be dismantled after an Egyptian ministry complained about the structure, state media said on Sunday.

A massive replica of the ancient statue was built in Hebei province, the official Xinhua news agency said.

But Egypt’s ministry of antiquities complained to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) about the Chinese imitation, it cited a source as saying.

The report quoted an official with a cultural park on the outskirts of the provincial capital Shijiazhuang as saying the imitation would serve only as a temporary scene for shooting movies and television dramas.

“We are very respectful to world cultural heritage and express our apologies for any misunderstanding,” added the official, who declined to be named.

The replica, about 80 metres long and 30 metres tall, is made of steel bars and cement.