Beijing's population will grow to over 15 million in 2008 and the scale of construction will be expanded in the coming years. By the end of last year, the city had over 14 million residents.

Municipal vice mayor Liu Jingmin says the population is expected to hit 15.5 million by the time the 2008 Olympic Games are held.

By the end of last year, the city had over 14 million total residents.

With the growing population, the government will take further steps to meet the increasing demand for water, in addition to the South to North water transfer project.

Thanks to the city's rapid economic development, the total construction area in Beijing will increase by 150 square kilometers in the coming five years.

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2004)