Capital bans new facilities in center of city

Beijing will forbid building new hotels, hospitals, office buildings, school campuses and industrial facilities in its central area, according to a new restriction on industries issued on Friday.

Jiang Lige, deputy director of Beijing's development and reform commission, which participated in creating the new list, said the city has been overburdened by its current economic structure.

Several industries are consuming scarce natural resources and contributing to the city's pollution, he said.