Visitor smashes statue at memorial temple

Police in Zhoukou, Henan province, are looking into an incident in which a visitor vandalized ancient statues of notorious government officials from the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) at a temple.

The visitor "suddenly became emotional" while visiting the memorial temple for national hero Yue Fei, according to a statement released by the temple's management officials.

The statement said the visitor, ignoring staff members' calls for calm, climbed up on a censer in front of the temple and began smashing iron statues depicting infamous court officials from the dynasty, including chancellor Qin Hui.

The visitor was eventually forced to leave, and workers called the police, the statement said.

After the incident, guardrails were installed around the statues, and security was increased, the statement said. It called on visitors to abide by the rules and behave in a responsible manner.

Yue was a military general who led soldiers against enemies from northern China during the Southern Song Dynasty. One of the most renowned generals in China's history, he is lauded for the resolute loyalty he showed to his country and its people.

Qin made up accusations against Yue for treason, and Yue was sent to prison, where he was killed in 1142.

Yue's life has been thrust back into the spotlight with the release of the film Full River Red on Jan 22.The movie, filmed by prolific director Zhang Yimou, was named after a famous poem that many attribute as being Yue's.