A few kilometres from Twin Oaks, in Washington's International Centre, a special area set aside for embassies more than 30 years ago, the People's Republic of China is building a massive new embassy of its own.

Designed by legendary Guangzhou-born, Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei and his son, Chien Chung, the new embassy - which will cover 300,000 sq ft and include two large office wings linked by a low-rise entry pavilion reminiscent of Ming dynasty imperial architecture - was approved earlier this year by Washington's National Capital Planning Commission. The imposing structure, which will stand up to 25 metres high, will be clad in light beige limestone, with large expanses of clear and translucent glass, planned around traditional Chinese gardens.

The 23 original lots at the International Centre are now nearly filled, with the last spaces set aside for China and Morocco. In fact, the space demands of the PRC were so great that the Planning Commission agreed to combine three lots into one, to accommodate China's needs.