Beijing launches campaign to dismantle illegal buildings

A building in Beijing is dismantled. [Photo: The Beijing Times]

A 200,000-square-meter building complex in Beijing's Haidian District was dismantled earlier this week as a year-long campaign in the Chinese capital kicked off to control overcrowding and disordered development.

The municipal government of Beijing has targeted the campaign to dismantle 40 million square meters of illegal buildings within the year, including illegal construction for dwelling, renting or production.

The move is part of wider efforts to address overcrowding, congestion and pollution in the capital, as its population exceeds 21 million. 

By dismantling illegal buildings, the city is also working to achieve orderly development of its traditional alleys, known as hutongs, and courtyards and add greening and public parking space in the city proper.

Beijing has also been alleviating the city of its non-capital functions, including manufacturing, logistics and wholesale markets through coordinated development with neighboring Hebei Province and Tianjin Municipality.

More than 1,300 factories and more than 300 markets have been closed and relocated from downtown to the outskirts or neighboring areas.