Skyscraper mania not best pointer to development

Chinese media have reported that among the skyscrapers being built worldwide, 87 percent are in China.

Skyscrapers embody a city's development level, but considering the size of Chinese cities and their overall development levels, it seems less rational for them to race to build such a large number, according to an article on rednet.cn (excerpts below).

Skyscrapers have dotted the skylines of many Chinese cities in recent years.

Despite widespread concerns over local government obsessions with city landmarks, record-breaking buildings have continued to spring up. The Shanghai Tower became the country's tallest and the world's second-tallest following its topping-out ceremony this month, but it will not hold the title for long, as Changsha's Sky City is expected to exceed it in height.

Local governments and businesses applaud such projects, considering them a shortcut to boost local property markets and fiscal revenue.

However, with the country predicted to become home to the world's largest number of skyscrapers, media have also reported that many landmark buildings have been plagued by high vacancy rates.

A city's development level is not decided by how many high-rise buildings it boasts.

It is decided by how rational and responsible policymakers are in making urban planning efforts to optimize a city's development in a comprehensive way, so that people can become the major beneficiaries.