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Letter from the Editor Letter from the Editor Letter from the Editor Letter from the Editor April 2004 Letter from the Editor, March 2004

Letter from the Editor

Such is the scope and speed of Beijing's infrastructural and architectural transformation in Striving to become a major global metropolis that we all seem in danger of becoming blase about our increasingly New Look city.

In the beginning, it was a matter of pride just to count the number of construction cranes that suddenly appeared on patches of land earmarked for development. Now these towering mechanical muscles seem to be on virtually every corner. Perhaps the municipal government should drape the current hundreds of cranes with proud, bold banners saying: "Another fine building for New Beijing."

Which brings us to the teams of often anonymous, unsung architects who slave over hot drawing boards to create everything from skyscrapers to, at present, stadiums and other Olympics-related buildings. Their labors are the first step in changing a Beijing skyline that seems in a constant state of flux. The Olympics slogan itself -- "Faster, Higher, Stronger" -- could also well be applied to these visionaries, whose works and those of their predecessors have made, and are making, Beijing one of the finest ancient-and-modern capitals in the world. Inside we look at their legacy in as many aspects as our space allows.

On other pages we also profile a Scotsman who has chosen Beijing as his retirement base; visit charming Yanqing County in our Know Your Beijing series; rub shoulders with highly realistic dinosaurs at the local "Jurassic Park"; throw new light on Chinese antique furniture and the famous Wan Fung Art Gallery. You will also find our usual regular dining and other features.

Happy reading!

Li Mingxia