Construction of a controversial US$600 million television center, which has been halted for nearly one and half a years, will go ahead beginning September 21 despite macroeconomic tightening that has resulted in Beijing's axing plans for five proposed sports venues.

The site finally chosen to be the new home of China Central Television (CCTV) is located in a busy commercial area near the World Trade Center in Beijing's Central Business District (CBD) and will cover an area of 187,000 square meters, according to Chen Gang, head of the city's Chaoyang District.

Construction of the tower -- the tallest in Beijing -- designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, was originally scheduled to begin in March last year, but was held up for reasons not disclosed to the public. A formal ceremony celebrating the laying of the foundation stone, originally scheduled for September 1, 2003, was canceled.

Fears of traffic congestion around the 230-meter-tall structure, which comprises two L-shaped towers joined high above the ground in a gravity-defying arch, were considered to be a main reason for the delay.

Many people, including several renowned academicians, said the project, which locals have dubbed the "Twisted Donut" -- would worsen the traffic situation in the CBD. The area is already crammed with high-rises and its highways are infamous for their resemblance to huge parking lots during rush hours.

Chen justified the plan, however, saying that based on the average population density of the CBD, the area surrounding the proposed new television building can handle 50,000 employees. The number of working staff at the new site will be only 10,000, and the floor space as designed will be 550,000 square meters, according to Chen.

Some say the building will be large enough to house ten television stations.

Also, he said, since CCTV operates 24 hours a day, any additional traffic will be distributed evenly throughout the day and will not impose a new burden during rush hour.

Unnamed sources at CCTV said the central government's efforts to curb overzealous investment are probably another main reason for the construction delay.

In recent weeks, Beijing municipal government leaders have been talking about hosting a "frugal" Olympic Games in 2008, and leaders have been tightening purse strings on construction projects.

(China Daily, China.org.cn September 13, 2004)