BEIJING, Nov. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- The Shanghai airport authority is building a shopping mall, which is due to be ready by early next year, near the Pudong International Airport to cater to the increasing passenger traffic handled by the airport.

    As Pudong International Airport will reach its designed annual capacity of 20 million passengers next year, local airport officials are speeding up the construction of a second runway and a second terminal building.

    The shopping mall, located between the airport's current terminal and the second terminal, which will be completed in 2008, covers 28,000 square meters with two three-story buildings already completed.

    There'll be a total of five buildings covering 70,000 square meters, said airport officials at a meeting held yesterday to attract investors.

    Chen Ruhuang, general manager of San Cai Realty Consultant which is in charge of the business negotiation with potential investors, said he's now in talks with about 300 companies, including well-known international clothes and bag brands, as well as those dealing in folk artworks with Chinese features.

    About 20 restaurants will be set up on the third floor of the two buildings.

    Du Chuncai, president of Shanghai Airport Authority, operator of Pudong Airport and Hongqiao International Airport, said the facilities will handle 25 million passengers by the end of the year, slightly more than last year's 24.68 million passengers.

    The authority is now working on the preliminary work for the second runway which is expected to be finished by the end of next year and has started to collect designs for the second terminal from firms worldwide. Enditem

(Shanghai Daily news)