Xian Plans to Relocate Administration to Suburbs to Preserve Downtown

Heritage-conscious Xian to clear out city center

BEIJING, Feb 17, 2006 (AFP) - The ancient Chinese city of Xian, home to the terracotta warriors, is planning to relocate its administrative center to the suburbs to preserve its historic downtown area, state media reported Friday.

The number of people living in the city center would also be reduced by almost half to less than 250,000, the China Daily said.

The project would cost 50 billion yuan (6.2 billion dollars) and take 30 years, but would be worth it for the northwest Chinese city, capital for many dynasties, it said.

"The present layout of the downtown area is suitable neither for the development of the city, nor the preservation of ancient relics," Guo Zhifeng, an official at the urban planning bureau, told the paper.

Ancient structures, such as the 13.7-kilometer (8.6-mile) city wall, are currently crammed together with modern buildings, making for frequent traffic jams, the paper said.

The massive relocation would kick off this year and affect the communist party headquarters, the municipal government and the municipal legislature, it said.

While the modern facilities were moved out, ancient palaces and commercial areas would be rebuilt, it said.

Although residents would be moved to a new satellite town on the outskirts of Xian, some were unhappy about the plans.

"I have been living inside the city walls for 71 years and I'm really reluctant to say goodbye to the place," said Wu Deyuan, a downtown resident. "But I understand it is necessary for Xian's development.">