Beijing’s municipal government is inviting ideas for a new landmark that will come to symbolize the city and act as a visible reminder of its historical and cultural heritage.

"We are hoping to collect brilliant ideas from design experts all over the world," said Li Tao, who is on the committee organizing the competition.

Applications began to be accepted on July 22 and will continue to be until midnight on August 22, with the results announced on September 9.

The winning design will be built in the capital’s Olympic Village, the best six will be given 30,000 yuan (US$3,700) prize money and ten runners-up will receive 5,000 yuan (US$617).

"There are no specific requirements for the form and content of the designs," said a statement on the website of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Urban Planning, but candidates should adopt the latest technology and environmental concepts to echo the theme of a "Green Olympics."

Candidates can go to http://www.bjghw.gov.cn/ to apply.

(China Daily July 26, 2005)