Agencies have reported that China has banned construction of skyscrapers that are taller than 500 meters (1,640 feet) following mounting concerns about public safety over the quality of some projects. 

Citing to Beijing’s premier economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission's notice on Tuesday, Bloomberg has reported that the body has also directed local authorities to strictly limit construction of towers taller than 250 metres, citing quality concerns and public safety hazards in some projects stemming from a lack of proper oversight.

According to the report, construction of buildings exceeding 100 metres will have to be at par with the fire rescue capability and the scale of the city where the buildings will be built.

Bloomberg, quoting to Qiao Shitong, an associate law professor at the University of Hong Kong,  said, 'It’s primarily for safety'. The professor further added that skyscrapers 'are more like signature projects for mayors and not necessarily efficient'.

A recent data shows that only 10 buildings in the world are over 500 metres tall and half of them are located in mainland China.

Before this directive came, one of China's tallest skyscrapers, nearly 300-metre-high (980 ft) Shenzhen Electronics Group Plaza, was evacuated on 18 May after it began to shake.

Incidents of building collapses are not new in China. Chinese authorities had last year banned construction of buildings taller than 500 meters in cities like Beijing. The authorities had also urged urban planners to construct buildings which would highlight Chinese characteristics.