Architect Richard Rogers Partnership is pitching for a series of skyscrapers in the Chinese city of Guangzhou

RRP this week submitted designs for a 475 m sightseeing tower to act as a tourist attraction in the city, in the south of the country.

RRP has to beat 14 other practices in the competition to masterplan an area of 56 ha. The brief also includes a 56,000 m2 TV centre, and retail and exhibition space.

RRP’s tower design has a revolving restaurant at the top with 360° views of the city.

The Guangzhou authorities will select a design by the end of month and intend to start construction by the end of this year.

RRP is also up against fellow UK practice Wilkinson Eyre in a similar competition to design a pair of 350 m office towers, also in Guangzhou. The scheme would be a new financial and commercial centre in the city.

Richard Paul, director at RRP, said that the two projects were proof of the huge amount of work available in China. He said: “Between 2000 and 2015 about 240 million Chinese will leave the Countryside for the city – that’s about the population of the USA. So there’s a phenomenal demand for construction at the moment.”

Between 2000 and 2015 about 240 million Chinese will leave the countryside for the city - that's about the population of the USA

Richard Paul, RRP director

RRP has been working with engineer Arup and QS Gleeds on all its Chinese bids.

n Richard Rogers this week moved to quash rumours that he may step down as chairman at RRP, following the departure of managing director Marco Goldschmied last week.

Rogers confirmed he would stand next year for re-election. He said: “I’m elected every year and have been here for ages. I’m going on and on.”

The company is working on a plan to give its younger directors a higher profile.