China plans rival to world's tallest building

Beijing plans to build a "seven-star hotel" modelled after Dubai's Burj Khalifa - the world's tallest building - in a US$1.3 billion joint project with Saudi Arabia.

The hotel will be erected in western Beijing's Mentougou district some 30 kilometres from the Chinese capital's centre, the state-run Beijing Morning Post said.

A district official confirmed the project and its price tag in comments to AFP.

He said that the Saudi side was expected to foot the entire bill but he refused to provide other details, such as why such an expensive project would be located in the underdeveloped rural area.