Beijing's Controversial 'Beautification' Campaign Ramps Up

By Justine Lopez

Love it or hate it, Beijing is on a mad quest to beautify the city. Last year alone saw the demolition of thousands of ‘illegal’ structures, the closure of hundreds of bars, restaurants and businesses, and the controversial evictions of countless migrants. But if you thought things were going to wind down this year, think again.

On Friday, Beijing Party Chief Cai Qi announced that the capital will continue with its campaign to ‘beautify’ the city.      

All bricked up

READ MORE: The Citywide Renovations Changing Beijing As We Know It

As part of the campaign, 4,000 additional square kilometers of illegal buildings will be torn down this year, Global Times reports. In addition, no new illegal structures will be permitted to be built within 155 square kilometers of the city center.

Additionally, buildings that do not serve essential functions will also be removed. These include 500 more manufacturing companies, 159 markets and 17 logistics centers. Last year, some of Beijing’s most iconic markets – including the Beijing Zoo Wholesale Market – were permanently shuttered.

Once these spaces are vacated, the land will be used to create 1,600 hectares of green spaces.

Beijing also plans to build 1,400 new convenience stores around the city. To make Beijing more aesthetically pleasing, street lamps, electrical wires and billboards will all be cleaned up.

So much has changed in Beijing over the past year. If things keep going at this rate, there's no telling what China's capital will look like in a few years’ time.

[Images via Victor Liu, Ecns.com]

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