China scraps twin tower plans

BEIJING (AP) -- Beijing has scrapped a pair of giant skyscrapers planned for its Olympic park, Mayor Liu Qi said Thursday, unveiling a building program for the 2008 Summer Games that he promised will take public concerns into account.

"The twin towers are doomed. They're too big. They're not needed," Liu said of the proposed Olympic towers.

Liu and other officials, speaking at a news conference, promised that the Olympics would improve the lives of Beijing residents, with billions of dollars spent on the environment, public facilities and economic development.

Liu said the city will quadruple the size of its subway, improve sewage systems and plant thousands of trees -- a step aimed at limiting Beijing's fierce dust storms.

Facilities are being built with long-term use in mind, Liu said, adding that the swimming arena will become a water park with artificial beaches.

"Both the city and the Olympics will benefit from our efforts," said Liu, who also is president of the city's Olympic organizing committee.

Beijing's Olympic plans have changed repeatedly in response to criticism that they are too costly, will destroy ancient neighborhoods and disrupt city life.

The twin towers planned for the Olympic park are the biggest casualty to date. At 500 meters (1,650 feet), they would have surpassed the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as the world's tallest skyscrapers.

Deputy Mayor Liu Jingmin said the city still plans to build 19 sports facilities -- including an 80,000-seat stadium -- and renovate 13 more at a total cost of US$3.4 billion.

Liu said the budget includes money for preserving some 100 ancient buildings and cultural sites in and around the Olympic park.

The plan also includes heavy spending on environmental projects. Liu promised to add 12,500 hectares (31,000 acres) of trees and greenery to the city by 2005 and 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres) of trees in the surrounding countryside.

Nevertheless, the officials promised to be frugal and to keep preparations free of China's rampant corruption.

Liu said projects will be open to bidding by foreign builders as well as Chinese, with financial details publicized to reassure the public.

In another break with the communist government's usual secrecy, Olympic organizers said the public is welcome to send complaints and suggestions by e-mail and telephone.

"We hope that all our friends at home and abroad will come up with good suggestions," Liu said.

 

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