Shanghai unveils new air terminal

The new terminal is part of a huge expansion in China's air capacity

China has opened a huge new airport terminal in Shanghai, a month after opening the country's biggest airport building in Beijing.

The Shanghai terminal more than doubles the passenger capacity of Pudong International Airport - which can now handle 60m people a year.

Beijing's new terminal is preparing for an influx during the Olympics.

Both new terminals will provide scope for China's rapidly growing aviation industry to expand further.

Analysts have described Pudong airport as bursting at the seams with cargo and passengers.

The AFP news agency quoted Wu Nianzu, chairman of the Shanghai Airport Authority, as saying the airport could no longer cope.

"As the passenger numbers and cargo flow have kept up double-digit growth for years, the old infrastructure can no longer satisfy the soaring demand."

Officials hope Shanghai will become Asia's hub for cargo transport by 2010.