Shortly after photos of a giant golden statue commemorating China's founding father Mao Zedong spread over the internet, it has been taken down due to a lack of approval from authorities.

While earlier it was shown as finished, current photos show the plot of land where it stood completely empty. Many are surprised about how fast the mega Mao statue was taken down – just days after it was unveiled online.

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Earlier reports showed the head of the 37 meter (120 feet) high statue covered with a black shroud, and its body partially destroyed.

The statue, which was made of concrete and steel, was created through the combined efforts of businessmen and locals. It was built on a farmland located in Tongxu County, near Kaifeng city in Henan province.

The ambitious golden statue project reportedly cost 3 million yuan ($over $450,000) to build. This cost of the project was reportedly covered by businessmen and locals who wanted to honor China's Great Helmsman

“In the hearts of ordinary people, Mao represents fairness and justice,” said Liu Jianwu, dean of the Mao Zedong Research center, explaining why people have this kind of emotion towards the Chinese leader.

The amount of funds used to build the statue, however, sparked some criticism.

"They can do whatever they want with their own money,” wrote a certain Weibo user. “It is worth commending if they built a statue of their ancestors. But if the money was from the public pocket, a thorough investigation is needed."

The location where the golden statue was built was also criticized. According to author Yang Jisheng, records show that Henan province was the hardest hit by the famines which were brought about by chaiman Mao's social and economic reforms called the Great Leap Forward.

Some Weibo users also posted remarks, stating historical facts that people might have overlooked or ignored.

This negative international attention may have contributed to the destruction of the golden mega-Mao, according to Chinese state media.

TagsMao Zedong, mega-Mao, Chairman Mao