Tofu-dreg project

The phrase tofu-dreg project(Chinese:豆腐渣工程) is a phrase current in Chinese mainland used to describe a poorly constructed building. This phrase was coined by Zhu Rongji, the former premier of the People's Republic of China, on a visit to Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province to describe a jerry-built dam.

In China, the term tofu dregs (the messy bits left after making tofu) is widely used as a metaphor for shoddy work, hence the implication that a "tofu-dreg project" is a poorly executed project for which the government should accept responsibility.