WORLD'S LIGHTEST: A professor from Zhejiang University demonstrates the all carbon aerogel developed by the university. The density of the material is only 0.16 milligrams per cubic centimeter, making it world's lightest material to date (JU HUANZONG)

Resource Shortage

A research report released on March 19 warns of growing pressure on essential resources in a densely populated area in north China.

With a population of 104 million, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Province region is currently facing grave tensions in water supplies and garbage processing, according to a blue book issued by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

In Beijing, per-capita water resources stood at 119 cubic meters in 2011, much lower than the internationally recognized water shortage warning line of 1,000 cubic meters. Tianjin and Hebei also face a similar situation.

The report also forecasts that Beijing will have to allocate another 213 hectares of land to bury additional garbage by 2020.

Meanwhile, the size of the population in the region, which is already contributing to these issues, will further expand. The report estimates that the region would be home to 112 million people by 2015, although the ideal population should not exceed 98 million.

Beijing New Airport

Beijing plans to build a new airport in its southern suburbs in Daxing District, which borders Hebei Province.

Construction on the new airport is expected to start in 2014, and preparation work is already underway, said Shao Heng, deputy chief of the government office of Daxing District, on March 19.

The new airport will serve as an engine for Beijing's economic development and a new landmark for the capital, according to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform.

Meanwhile, an air transport-related economic zone is also planned, with an investment of 84 billion yuan ($13.39 billion), Shao said.

Upon completion, the new airport is expected to alleviate traffic pressure on the Beijing Capital International Airport, which remained the world's second busiest airport in 2012 in terms of passenger throughput.