[Pedestrian]

Rising High Above Beijing, a Security Puzzle
By Dominique Fong
Sept. 29, 2017 5:30 a.m. ET

BEIJING—Construction at the top of the tallest building in China’s capital has stalled because of government security concerns, according to people involved in its design and construction, in a new example of how China’s passion for skyscrapers is cooling.

Government officials have halted work on the planned observation deck on China Zun Tower’s 106th floor because of concerns that visitors would be able to see into the compound where Communist Party leaders live and work, according to the people involved.

The security push goes beyond China Zun. The city said on Wednesday that it would limit the height of buildings in its center—offering no details but citing the need to “safeguard the security of the central-government environment.” The plan includes the district where China Zun sits . . .

. . . while China once gushed over trophy towers—including ones shaped like eggs, coins and teapots—that helped put its fast-growing megacities on the world map, their popularity has waned.

Mr. Xi in late 2014 issued a call to stop the construction of “strange-looking” buildings.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/rising-...zle-1506677402