From AP, via GamesBids.com:
Beijing’s Mayor Wang Qishan wants impoverished neighbourhoods in Beijing to be demolished quickly in preparation for Beijing’s 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
While touring one area in the process of being razed Friday the mayor told officials and construction workers that demolishing the dilapidated neighbourhoods is an essential task this year and work must be accelerated, reports the Beijing Daily.
Beijing is spending an estimated $40 billion for Olympic sports venues, new roads and subway lines, residential communities in the suburbs and to beautify the “often gray, polluted capital”.
Targeted are areas known as “inner city villages” where many homes were built illegally and many residents are rural migrants.
China Daily also used AP’s story, but edited out part of the content. See here.
Thanks to Nicholas Bequelin for the links.
