BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The construction of a new commercial development project is underway in Beijing's suburban district of Changping, the municipal government said on Monday.

Since last year, progress has been made on the construction of the consumption and recreation area in the eastern area of Changping New Town, Liu Xiaodong, deputy head of Changping District, told a press conference.

A sprawling commercial zone of nearly 1.2 million square meters will be built to integrate business streets and waterfront promenades, said Guo Wenjie, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce.

The officials expected the eastern area of Changping New Town to become a modern urban area by the end of 2030, which will also have high-quality residential communities and a high-tech innovation and research zone.