Published 14:44 IST, September 25th 2019
China inaugurates airport ahead of 70th anniversary of Communist rule
China has inaugurated futuristic Daxing International Airport on September 25 in Beijing which is expected to become one of the busiest airports of the world
Chinese President Xi Jinping has inaugurated the futuristic Daxing International Airport on September 25 in Beijing. It is expected to become one of the busiest airports in the world. He opened the star-fish shaped airport with brief remarks at a ceremony inside the vast terminal just some days prior to the country's grandeur celebration to commemorate 70 years of Communist rule.
The new airport is situated 46 kilometres (29 miles) south of Tiananmen Square which is expected to be fully operational by 2040.
About the airport
The airport is planned to have 8 runways and the potential to handle 100 million passengers per year. The new single terminal airport is a tangible form of an idea that fulfils the Chinese dream offered by Chinese President Xi Jinping to his fellow citizens.
The airport is constructed at an area of 700,000 square metres (173 acres) that is equivalent to the size of 100 football pitches. Beneath the airport's terminal, there's a train station and metro connectivity which will allow the travellers to reach the city centre in about 20 minutes conveniently. The project cost 120 billion yuan ($17.5 billion), or 400 billion if the rail and road links are considered.
China prepares itself to mark the 70 years of Communist rule
China prepares itself to mark the 70 years of Communist rule which will display China's largest-ever military parade and a show of the country's strength. The nation readies its tanks and missiles which will roll out across the streets of central Beijing on October 1. The pigeons are caged, dogs are banned, and the Internet slowed ahead of the mega event. The Chinese capital has come to a standstill during the rehearsals. The security and access to foreign websites have been heightened. The residents in the 22 million mega-city appear to be very excited and enthusiastic.
Updated 16:45 IST, September 25th 2019