Construction has started on a project that will dominate Guangzhou's burgeoning skyline for years to come.

The Zhujiang New City Twin Towers will be 104 storeys and 432 metres high. The Western Tower will be built first, with completion scheduled for 2010, when the city hosts the Asian Games, and the Eastern Tower will follow.

The total cost of the project is expected to reach more than 10 billion yuan (US$1.23 billion).

While taller than the Chinese mainland's current highest building, Shanghai's 420-metre-high Jinmao Tower, the Guangzhou buildings will still be 76 metres shorter than the record holding World Financial Centre in Taipei, Taiwan Province.

Also, the towers will be shorter than the Shanghai Asian Financial Centre, which is due to be completed in 2008.

Li Fei, chairman of board of Guangzhou Yuexiu Urban Construction Co Ltd, said construction of the western tower would help further upgrade Guangzhou's reputation as an international metropolis.

"The project is also expected to help boost the development of office buildings and other properties in the prosperous Pearl River Delta," Li said at the cornerstone laying ceremony.

Li's company, a subsidiary of Guangzhou Yuexiu Group, has taken the responsibility for construction of the Western Tower.

He said his firm has decided to open multiple channels to help raise the funds needed for the gigantic project.

And Chen Wanqian, an architect from Guangzhou Association of Architecture, also thought the skyscraper was worthy building.

"It will help further raise Guangzhou's image at home and abroad and help promote the city's tourism," said Chen yesterday.

Super skyscrapers have become symbolic tourist spots in many domestic and international metropolises, like New York, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei and Shanghai, Chen said.

He said he was not worried about a possible terrorist attack.

"Guangzhou is not a major target for an international terrorist attack," said Chen.

The western tower will include a luxury five-star hotel, office areas, luxury commercial apartments, supermarkets, international conference halls, underground parking lots, entertainment venues and related facilities.

(China Daily December 28, 2005)