BEIJING, Aug. 3 -- The district of Shijingshan in western Beijing aims to become a recreational hotspot in the Chinese capital, as the major industrial company, Beijing Shougang Group, moves its steel and iron operations out of town.

　　The relocation of the Shougang Group, also known as the Capital Iron and Steel Group, gives the district a golden opportunity to shift its industrial focus and to kick-start its development plans, said Zhang Libing, vice-director of the district.

　　The Beijing Shougang Group, China's fourth largest steel maker, will relocate all of its steel and iron plants to neighbouring Hebei Province by 2010, officials said.

　　The Shijingshan District yesterday opened an investment fair and launched its new development plan, aiming to become one of Beijing's tourist and recreational hubs.

　　"The district aims to attract more than 30 billion yuan (US$3.7 billion) investment within five years," Zhang said. "Most of the new development projects on the land left by Shougang will focus on recreation, tourism, shopping, exhibitions and offices," he said.

　　The district has launched a dozen major development projects on the 7-square-kilometre site, including an international sports and restaurant square, an indoor sea-water recreation centre, a large shopping mall, a villa and residential park, an international statue park and an exhibition and event zone.

　　Some of the old steel workshops will be renovated and become new tourist sites for visitors. "Some visitors still feel curious about the steel giant, while others regard the factories and workshops as a landmark of China's industrial development drive," Zhang said.

　　An "industrial tour" will be one of Shijingshan's attractions in the future.

　　Founded in 1919, the Shougang Group spearheaded numerous technological breakthroughs in China's iron and steel industry, and remained the country's industrial pride for decades.

　　However, the steel company has long been decried as the capital's worst polluter with chimneys belching out thick clouds of smoke.

　　According to a Shougang plan submitted to the State Council, the group will build a new steel base near Tangshan in neighbouring Hebei Province, with an expected annual production capacity of 8 million tons.

　　Group sources said Shougang is planning to develop non-steel-making operations such as real estate and mechanical and electrical industries on part of the vacated site. Enditem

　　(Source: China Daily)