A new media center to serve the Boao Forum for Asia started operation on March 22 as the organization kicked off its 15th annual meeting.

With an investment of 11 million yuan ($1.7 million), the two-floor center covers a total area of 4,159 square meters and consists of a news release room, studios, interview rooms and a public-media workspace. It can accommodate 2,500 journalists. The center, which is about five minutes’ walk from the main conference center, is connected it via free electric shuttles.

It took COSCO, the developer of the main conference area and the media center, just five months to complete construction of the center, which is designed to resemble a flying seagull.

“The spread wings signify the economic takeoff of China and Asia,” said the chief architect, Zhou Xiaolu.

The wings also symbolize the wide reach of news from the forum and the vision of the organization, Zhou said.

Zhu Yong, a reporter for China National Radio, said as he sat working in the bright, spacious media center that he appreciates the service the facility offers.

“The media center indicates that the BFA secretariat is giving great attention to the work of the media,” Zhu said. “The center provides working meals next to the public-media workspace. It is all very convenient.”