"Beijing is to lay emphasis on construction of three new cities, namely Tongzhou, Shunyi and Yizhuang after 2007,"revealed vice mayor Liu Zhihua at a conference addressing construction quality.

In the newly compiled General City Planning for Beijing Municipality, Tongzhou, Shunyi and Yizhuang are listed as three new cities Beijing will vigorously develop. Surveying and mapping for the three new cities have begun. By the end of June drawing of relief maps with a scale of 1:2000 will be finalized.

The general plan includes blueprints for 11 new cities and about 30 key townships.

According to the plan, the new Tongzhou is to accommodate 700,000 to 900,000 residents and room for future population expansion up to one million is reserved. The new Tongzhou will mainly develop function of administration, finance and business. Shunyi will be engaged in development of modern manufacturing industries, airport and logistics and conference and exhibitions; Yizhuang will primarily develop high-tech and modern manufacturing industries, e,g, electronics, automobiles, pharmaceuticals.

News links:

According to the General City Planning for Beijing Municipality, a structure of "city center-new city-township"will take shape in Beijing.

Covering 1,085 sq meters, the city center is the zone where Beijing's political, cultural and important economic functions are collectively demonstrated. New cities are developed on the basis of satellite towns and are set to accommodate people and functions removed from the city center; to host new industries and boost regional development.

By People's Daily Online