This Day, That Year

Item from Aug 31, 1990, in China Daily: The China World Trade Center, one of the largest equity joint ventures in China, opened yesterday amid dragon dances, colorful balloons, and firecrackers.

The center, a joint venture of the China Foreign Economic and Trade Consultants Corporation and the Kerry Industrial Co, covers 420,000 square meters.

Beijing’s China World Trade Center opened its Phase 3B early this month, adding 230,000 square meters to the landmark complex.

The whole complex covers 1.1 million square meters and further enhances its position as the hub of the capital’s Central Business District.

Founded in 1985, the China World Trade Center, consists of hotels, offices, apartments, exhibition spaces and a shopping mall. The first phase opened in 1990, while the second opened in 1999. Phase 3A operated in 2010.

As the current tallest building in the capital, the complex has a maximum height of 330 meters, but another skyscraper, China Zun, under construction will pass it by nearly 190 meters.

Structural roofs of the tower were sealed on Aug 18, marking the completion of the main structure. It rises to 528 meters.

The booming construction of super-tall buildings, or towers taller than 300 meters, has transformed the skylines of other Chinese cities, including Shanghai and Shenzhen. Standing in the heart of Lujiazui, Shanghai’s financial hub, the 632meter Shanghai Tower — China’s tallest building and the world’s second tallest — officially opened in April.