International architects RMJM, the only UK-based architects to have designed a building for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, have defended its work in China and claims that boycotting the games will hold back the country's development.

RMJM's chief executive Peter Morrison has criticised the decision of key figures, such as the artistic director for the Games Steven Spielberg, who are boycotting the Games because of the country's human rights record and more recently China’s alleged inaction to stop atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region.

Morrison's firm has designed the Beijing Olympic Green Convention Centre which, in addition to being the venue for the fencing and pentathlon shooting events, houses the main international media and broadcast centre which is expected to attract 5,600 journalists from around the world. Morrison states that the opening of China to the world's media is a major step forward for a country which is better known for its media censorship.

-- Advertisement --

RMJM has had a permanent presence in Hong Kong for over 35 years as well as offices in Beijing and Shanghai since 2004, in total employing nearly 200 people in China.China is a major market for the company in the Far East and it has recently won high profile awards for the University Town Library, inspired by the shape of a dragon, and residential projects in Shenzhen. It is also working on a hospitality and leisure complex in Macau, which will be the largest construction project in the world.

Morrison is also keen to point out the long term merits of a UK-based company working in China: "In a country with such a rapidly growing economy, there is a temptation to build quickly and without consideration for the environment. We have a policy of working closely with our clients to educate them in the building process and to address issues of sustainability.

"We've worked hard to improve the situation for parts of the built environment in China and we have embraced their Chinese culture. I believe this is the key to the development of the country – not to widen the gulf between it and the western world."

(JM)