China Sets Out New Rules For Skyscrapers: Xinhua

The central government has imposed strict restrictions upon the construction of new skyscrapers, Xinhua reported, quoting two state ministries.

Xinhua cited a circular jointly issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the Ministry of Emergency Management, which said the government prohibited the approval of buildings taller than 250 metres, and strictly restricted those taller than 150 metres in any city with an urban population of less than three million.

Xinhua also reported that construction of buildings higher than 500 metres was banned in cities with an urban population of more than three million - and buildings taller than 250 metres could only be built under strict restrictions.

It quoted the circular as saying that any residential building taller than 80 metre or public building taller than 100 metres must meet local firefighting standards.

Skyscraper construction has also been banned in historic neighbourhoods, heritage sites and areas with heavy traffic.