Application to build world's tallest building in China not yet approved

An application to build the world's tallest skyscraper in Changsha has not yet been approved, the local government said yesterday, appearing to contradict the developer's claims that construction was cleared to start.

The Binshui New City management committee said it wanted to reassure critics that construction of the 838-metre Sky City - which developers plan to build in a record-breaking seven months - would not proceed until "relevant legal procedures" were met, Xinhua reported.

The panel said nine domestic construction experts had studied the project, including its structure and quake resistance, but an examination of plans for its construction, and its firefighting facilities, and applications for licences were still under way.

The statement followed a report by the state news agency on Thursday saying that the Broad Group's project had not received necessary approval from Hunan's provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

The report said there had been no construction since a ground-breaking ceremony the previous weekend.

Broad Group spokeswoman Zhu Linfang had disputed that report, insisting that the plan had "obtained all necessary government approval" and was proceeding as planned. Zhu called on Xinhua to "correct its mistake".