Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
2001
Work starts on the National Grand Theatre west of the Great Hall of the People, Běijīng's futurist-
ic answer to the Shànghǎi
ǎ
i Grand Theatre.
2002
Hu Jintao becomes China's new political leader when he is appointed general secretary of the
Communist Party. He governs China for the next 10 years.
2007
After coping for nearly 40 years with two subway lines, Běijīng opens a third as part of a massive
development project that expands the system to 15 lines in the next five years.
2008
The Běijīng to Tiānjīn 'bullet train' opens for operation, reaching a top speed of 330km/h during
its 29-minute journey, and setting the record for the fastest conventional train service in the
world.
2008
Běijīng hosts the Olympic Games with a dramatic opening ceremony; China tops the gold medals
table; restrictions on international media are temporarily lifted.
2010
In a rare victory for heritage campaigners, Běijīng shelves its plans to redevelop the historic area
surrounding the city's Drum and Bell Towers.
2011
Běijīng artist and political activist Ai Weiwei is placed under house arrest for almost three
months. Authorities serve him with a ¥12 million tax fine.
2011
The high-speed rail link between Běijīng and Shànghǎi
ǎ
i opens to the public, slashing train journey
times between the two city's from 10 hours to just five.
2012
Civil-rights activist Chen Guangcheng, held under virtual house arrest for two years, takes refuge
in the US embassy in Běijīng. After long negotiations, China allows him to leave for the US.
