xíng​xiàng​gōng​chéng

vanity project

形象工程 xíng​xiàng​gōng​chéng
vanity project
A construction project undertaken to improve one's image or prestige rather than to meet practical needs; often used to describe projects by officials that ignore local economic reality. Also known as 面子工程 miàn​zi​gōng​chéng.

Cross-References

Same as