Recently, Hammer gained significant attention on Chinese social media for a series of videos documenting his renovation of Qiaomuwan, an uninhabited island in Xiangshan County, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province.
Initially, Hammer renovated an old house, built roads, installed electricity, set up a water system, and created an area for poultry farming. His journey to transform the deserted island resonated with audiences' desire for a "return to nature" lifestyle, drawing a large number of views to his videos.
Subsequently, he chartered boats to transport materials, transforming the dilapidated house into a residence featuring a stone facade, glass railings, and a sunroom. A solar power system was also installed to operate a billiards table and gaming consoles.
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The structures built by Hammer on Qiaomuwan Island in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. Photo: CCTV |
The structures built by Hammer on Qiaomuwan Island in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. Photo: CCTV
As the project gained prominence, Hammer began soliciting donations. Viewers paid to "buy naming rights" for newly constructed rooms or "adopt" poultry on the island. Contributors reaching specific donation tiers had banners displayed in their honor.
At its peak, Hammer unilaterally renamed Qiaomuwan to "Hammer Island" and planted a flag bearing his name on the mountaintop. He sold tickets, inviting high-contributing fans and other streamers to visit the island. During his livestreams, Hammer announced plans to use the location to sell seafood once his follower count reached a desired target.
In May, following public reports, the Ningbo Coast Guard Bureau launched an investigation. Verification confirmed that Qiaomuwan is a state-owned island, and Hammer possessed no permit for its use.
Tang Xiaofeng, a regional expert, stated that this sea area contains over 4,100 uninhabited islands. The scattered terrain and harsh weather conditions make continuous patrolling challenging. However, the expert emphasized that the absence of residents does not imply the absence of law.
By Bao Nhien (Source: Orientaldaily, CCTV)
