Work on the tallest wood-frame buildings in China is proceeding on schedule with the framing phase of the project set to begin next month, Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell announced today during a tour of the construction site.

The Tianjin project, which includes two four-floor apartment buildings, will be the first in China to climb above the three-storey mark using wood-frame construction. The project broke ground during the fall 2010 forestry trade mission and is expected to be completed in fall 2011.

With a combined total of 6,000 square metres of wood-frame construction, the two apartment buildings stem from an agreement that B.C. and Canada signed with the Chinese central government's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD). The agreement is to demonstrate how wood meets demands for energy-efficient construction with a low carbon footprint.

MOHURD selected the Tianjin Economic Development Group to build the apartments. The Tianjin Economic Development Area, about 160 kilometres southeast of Beijing, has rapidly advanced as one of China's leading regions for green building and urban design.

Bell was joined on the construction site tour by members of the trade mission that he led to China to build business relationships that will generate additional demand for B.C. wood products.

Quick Facts:

• The Tianjin Economic Development Group is also using wood-frame systems in two multi-level commercial buildings. Canada Wood is providing quality assurance support for this separate project.
• With a population of 11 million people, Tianjin is the third-largest city in China and one of five cities that reports directly to the national government.
• The Tianjin Economic Development Area (TEDA) was established in 1984 and has rapidly grown to become one of China's most advanced development zones.
• Major companies such as Toyota, Motorola and Samsung have manufacturing bases in the TEDA.

Learn More:

• March 2011 trade mission to China:
  http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/sets/72157626341848714/
• Tianjin Economic Development Area:
  http://en.investteda.org/aboutteda/findingteda/default.htm
• Photos of the November 2010 groundbreaking on the Tianjin construction site:
  http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pab/media/bell/2010/11/02b/

Contact:

Cheekwan Ho
Public Affairs Officer
250 387-4592