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BASE jumpers eye Jin Mao Tower

Between 15 and 20 people will hurl themselves off of the Jin Mao Tower, the tallest building in China, on October 5 in an effort to improve the city's image.

The jumpers aren't suicidal - although diving off a 380-meter skyscraper is insane - they are some of the best BASE jumpers on the planet.

BASE jumping, or parachuting from buildings, bridges, cliffs and television antennas, has seen its popularity grow in recent years, especially in Asia.

About 100,000 spectators cheered 15 BASE jumpers who sprang off the middle of the 452-meter Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in February 2001. The event has since been established into an annual extravaganza and the most celebrated BASE jumping show in the world.

"We hope to improve the city's image and promote air sports via the show," said Shen Jiachun, head of the Shanghai Air Sports School and a member of the show's organizing committee.

"Top BASE jumpers are able to keep the parachute folded for as long as four seconds after they plunge off the edge, if the climate is amiable," said Shen. "And the jumpers involved in this event will be the elite from BASE jumping powerhouses like the United States and France."

Two top Chinese skydivers will also take part in the event, the first of its kind in China.

Shanghai attempted to hold a similar show last June, but that event was scrapped due to the city's inclement summer weather.

"October is a much better timing due to its high cloud altitude and superb visibility in the air, which is essential for the security of a BASE jumping show," said Shen.

Shanghai Daily news

Skydivers plan leap off China's tallest building

SHANGHAI - A group of 20 skydivers plan to jump into the record books by parachuting off China's tallest building, the Jin Mao tower in Shanghai, officials said yesterday.

The American, Chinese, French and Norwegian skydivers hope to complete the world's highest BASE jump on Oct 5 after launching into acrobatics from the 425.5m tower, said Jin Mao group spokesman Wang Fei.

They aim to beat an earlier record set by 59 daredevils from 16 countries who last year jumped from a platform on the 73rd floor of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

Mr Wang said the Shanghai tower feat would be a world record. -- AFP

The American, Chinese, French and Norwegian skydivers hope to complete the world's highest BASE jump on Oct 5 after launching into acrobatics from the 425.5m tower, said Jin Mao group spokesman Wang Fei.