Great care is being taken to protect the environment and historical relics as construction proceeds at the Zhongguancun Science Park's high-tech business center, life science park and software park.

The 15 billion yuan (US$1.8 billion) center and parks, occupying 51 hectares, is known as the west zone of Zhongguancun and got under way in May.

"We have invested more than 10 million yuan (US$1.2 million) to protect ancient trees in the west zone of Zhongguancun," said Zhu Yijun, an economist with the Beijing Science and Technology Park Construction Co.

"Zhongguancun is a young district, but Haidian where it is located has a long history."

The job's senior engineer, Cao Han, concurred about the sanctity of this critical northwest Beijing area.

"All gingko trees and the Chinese scholar tree with a diameter of more than 50 centimeters are being protected," Cao said.

Xiejie Street, the original road traveled by the imperial family members in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) to scenic spots, was preserved and even expanded to a central park in western Zhongguancun.

"If any cultural relic is unearthed during construction, we will deal with them appropriately together with the cultural relic department," Zhu vowed.

Meanwhile, half the west zone of Zhongguancun will feature grass and trees irrigated with recycled water.

The software park also features a 2.5-hectare lake.

(China Daily 09/24/2001)