A major step in the construction of the showpiece venue for the 2008 Olympics was taken on Tuesday as the membrane structure of the outside layer of the National Aquatics Center was completed.

The National Aquatics Center, known as the "Water Cube", is the world's largest and most complicated membrane system in a single building project.

Construction of the landmark project started on December 24, 2003. The work on concrete and steel structures was finished in July this year, and installation of cushions of the ETFE (ethylene-tetra-fluoro-ethylene) membrane structure started in early August.

Installation of electromechanical equipment and pipes is currently going on and indoor fit-up and decoration will start by the end of the year. The whole project is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2007.

With a seating capacity of 17,000, the National Aquatics Center will host swimming, diving and synchronized swimming competitions during the 2008 Olympics.

Source: Xinhua