??????????????????????????????????????????

An architectural rendering of the proposed weapon museum.

?????????????????????????

The museum will be China's largest weapon museum, covering 20 hectares.

??????????????????????

According to the developer, the museum will cost 500 million yuan to build.

The Xi'an Economic and Technological Development Zone announced Dec. 10 that construction on what will be China's largest weapon museum is slated to begin next year at Jingwei Xincheng (Jinghe Industrial Park).

Guo Fengpeng, deputy director of the Administration Committee, said the museum will cover 20 hectares and cost nearly 500 million yuan to build. China North Industries and Shaanxi Province will fund the project.

The museum, which is expected to open in 2012, will highlight the modernization of the weapon industry and include advanced tanks, missiles and self-made weapons used during the Anti-Japanese War.

Officials say that Jingwei Xincheng is an important zone for Western development. Officials hope the museum will improve the Xi'an service sector and help integrate the military equipment manufacturing industry into the civilian economy.