The Beijing Central Business District (CBD) will start its expansion project this year, to include a media center, an international bookstore and an international cultural theater.

The whole CBD area approved by the State Council--China's Cabinet--in 1992 totals 10.4 square km, encompassing a 3.99-square-km core area and a 6.41-square-km reserve area.

Some 80 percent of projects in the core area have been completed in the past eight years, including such well-known buildings as the China World Trade Center, Yintai Center and the Twin Towers.

The core area is located in Chaoyang District in east Beijing, between Chaoyang Lu and Tonghui River from north to south, and Xi Da Wang Lu and Dong Da Qiao Lu from east to west, or roughly between the 3rd and 4th Ring Roads.

EXPANSION: Beijing CBD is to expand eastward with the final scope not decided yet (BEIJING NEWS)

The reserve area is expected to expand to the 4th Ring Road, according to officials. But the scope has not been decided yet. CBD plans to invest 15 billion yuan ($2.19 billion), including both government and private investment.

"CBD will have an overall plan for the whole area, and make preparations for industries that are likely to have a bright future," Liu Chuncheng, Director of the Beijing CBD Administrative Committee, was quoted as saying by the Beijing Times.

"CBD plans to prepare projects supporting the TV media industry with the settlement of China Central Television and Beijing Television in the district," Liu added.

"Part of the CBD investment will be put into infrastructure facilities," said Liu. This year CBD plans to build four covered overpasses with round-the-clock lights to keep wind and rain off white-collar workers working in the area.

The four overpasses will be built at crowded crossroads to ease traffic. For instance, one will be set up between the Guiyou store and the Xiushui market. An underground passage from Yintai to the Hanghua building is slated for completion this year, Liu told the Legal Evening News.

Given the widely held view that CBD's cultural atmosphere is inferior to its business atmosphere, CBD will establish a free wireless zone in the district. The project, valued at 10 million yuan ($1.46 million), is expected to be finished in June.

The expansion project has been submitted to authorities for approval, Liu said. Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong said at a panel discussion at the city's annual NPC and CPPCC sessions held last month that he hoped "CBD will enjoy better development supported by a series of policies of the Municipal Government."

CBD set its target for gross domestic product growth at 12 percent this year, compared with 9 percent in Beijing Municipality as a whole, Liu said.

The district expects to create 20,000 jobs, mainly by introducing businesses and funds to the area, including cleaning jobs and jobs related to the service industry.

On February 16 CBD launched a breakfast service on regular buses, catering to the needs of staff workers in the district, said CBD Online. The fresh breakfast is safe, convenient and cheap.

The district also plans to set up a district management squad this year to help maintain order at large conferences and prevent such behavior as parking cars in unauthorized zones.

Rental costs for housing in CBD are forecasted to rise by around 10 percent due to these projects, 5i5j.com, a major property dealer in Beijing, was quoted as saying by the Legal Evening News.