A national earthquake relief team has chosen a site to rebuild the Beichuan county seat, which was severely devastated in the earthquake.

This is the Bandengqiao area of Mianyang city, and it covers ten square kilometers. After a 20-day field research, experts decided to recommend this site to rebuild the Beichuan county seat.

This is the Bandengqiao area of Mianyang city, and it covers ten square kilometers. After a 20-day field research, experts decided to recommend this site to rebuild the Beichuan county seat.

Li Xiaojiang, chief of China Academy of Urban Planning & Design, said, "It is safe. Earthquakes and other geological disasters will occur less frequently here than in other areas."

Zhu Bo, expert of China Academy of Urban Planning & Design, said, "The population of the current Beichuan county seat is over thirty thousand, and it covers over three square kilometers. We estimate the population will increase to between thirty and fifty thousand based on its economic development. It means three to five square kilometers is enough."

Experts say the Bandengqiao area is close to the Mianyang city proper. Convenient transportation and a good regional economic environment will be of benefit in developing Beichuan's economy.

The Qiang ethnic group have lived around the Bandengqiao area for a long time. There are plenty of mountains and water ... two things that are important for the Qiang community.

Li Xiaojiang said, "The Qiang ethnic group like living next to mountains and water. So we should study relevant mountains, and build a good ecological environment with safe access to good-quality water."

Experts say according to a preliminary plan, it will take three years to reconstruct Beichuan's new county seat.

(CCTV June 10, 2008)