Beijing to demolish 40 sq km of illegal structures

Beijing

BEIJING plans to tear down at least 40 million square metres, or a staggering 40 square kilometres, of illegal structures, roughly an area of 28 London Hyde Parks, and shut 500 manufacturing firms this year.

The city will "ensure zero increase of such structures" this year and will continue to relocate people out of the city centre, acting mayor Chen Jining said in an annual work report to the city's government on Wednesday.