The cost of modernising China

China is preparing for a major change in its top political leadership in the autumn, with President Hu Jintao and other senior leaders stepping down after 10 years in charge.

President Hu has overseen a decade in which China has become the driving force of the world's economy.

Vast swathes of the country's cities have been knocked down to make way for new high rise housing and office blocks.

Sometimes the demolition of people's houses to make for the new buildings is done without the owners' knowledge or permission.

The BBC's World Affairs editor John Simpson visited one flattened suburb on the outskirts of Beijing to see the impact of the rebuilding effort.