WORKERS FLATTEN THE PARKING AREA AT NEW BAIYUAN AIRPORT IN GUANGZHOU, 2002 (photo)

Workers flatten the plane parking area during construction of the New Baiyuan International Airport in Guangzhou, southern China's largest city, on November 21, 2002. As 2003 fast approaches, the airport authority of Guangzhou plans to go ahead with a two billion yuan (41.5 million) public opening by year end. "We have the approvals to do it by year end, but we are waiting for the right market conditions," said Zhang Chunlin, general manager of Baiyuan International Airport Group Co. The offering of 300 million shares, which would trade on one of China's A-share markets for domestic investors only, would be part of the 19.6 billion yuan price tag for the sprawling new airport, set on 15 square kilometres about 28 kilometers from Guangzhou's city center. REUTERS/Kin Cheung KC/JD