北京周报 2007年第17期

COVER STORY：Excreme weather conditions have blighted much of China over the past year and a pattern of increasing drought has emerged. The problem is both economic and human. Swathes of farmland have been hit by drought leading to production losses and millions of people have had difficulty accessing fresh water. While the government is attempting to tackle the issue, increasingly dry weather is something that could prove a long-term problem for the country.

Cover Story: Like a living history book, the ancient city of Xi'an has always been at the forefront of China's past. It is a city built on cities, a treasure house for archeologists and the start and finish of the famous Silk Road that traverses China. Most well-known as home of the iconic terracotta warriors, the city's weak economy, heavily reliant on tourism, has been in serious need of alternative investment opportunities. Today the former Chinese capital and once the world's most developed city, is re-inventing itself as hi-tech home for a multitude of R&D operations and primarily as a base for China's aerospace industry. The wheel is turning as eternal Xi'an reaches out to recapture its former glory.

　　If all goes according to plan, Chinese air travellers will be boarding big commercial airliners designed and manufactured in China by the year 2020. The aviation market, long dominated by Boeing and Airbus,will face a home grown challenge in a lucrative arena that is forecast to see China purchase 2230 new aircraft in the period leading up to 2025. It is hoped that many of those aircraft would be stamped"Made in China." With government lending its weight to the development process, the civil aviation industry is aware it will take time to get into full flight and has fastened its seatbelts. Known for its high risk,hi-tech input and snail pace returns, the industry is taking it one step at a time all the way to the runway.

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