Hangzhou officials have rented out a villa where former Taiwanese leader Chiang Ching-Kuo once took up residence. McDonald's set up shop in the ground floor of the property this weekend amid protests from Chiang's relatives and supporters.

The BBC reported that the upper floor has also been converted into a Starbucks cafe which started operating in October.

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Chiang Ching-Kuo ruled Taiwan almost 37 years ago. His father, Chiang Kai-shek, was one of the founders of Taiwan after nationalist forces were defeated by the communists in the mainland.

Historical records show that the Chiang family stayed in the house in 1948 for approximately two months. Local officials in Hangzhou declared the house a cultural heritage site almost 12 years ago.

The conversion of the cultural heritage site into a McDonald's and Starbucks outlet has attracted the ire of conservationists including Chiang's grandson, who want to turn the site into a museum instead.

Chang's grandson Demos Chiang said on Weibo that putting up a McDonald's outlet in a cultural heritage site is beyond his understanding.

A local state media reported that many participants in a public forum held early this year regarding the commercialization of the site were opposed to the idea.

Zhou Fudou from Zhejiang University was one of those opposed to the commercialization of the villa. He said that Chiang's former home is a piece of history that both Taiwan and mainland China can share.

Despite pleas to let the structure remain as is, the local government proceeded to lease the property.

Hangzhou local government has defended the decision to rent out the place, saying that the rental income will be used to refund the money used in maintaining the villa.

A local government spokesperson said that the late Taiwanese leader and family only stayed for a short period in the house. Since Chiang's time, the interior of the property has undergone many changes. The spokesperson voiced doubts about the feasibility of converting the villa into a museum.

TagsChiang Ching-Kuo, Chiang house McDonald's, Chiang house Starbucks, Chiang Kai-shek, Demos Chiang