A policeman on his patrol bike passes by the Shanghai Big Data Industrial Base in Jing'an district of Shanghai. Photo: Chen Xia/GT

Four 20-year-old partially constructed buildings in downtown Shanghai have been demolished simultaneously on Monday, triggering an M1.7 earthquake. This area will be transformed into a landmark urban complex in the future. 

Seven tons of explosives were reportedly used for the demolition drive. A professional assessment was conducted before the explosion to ensure safety. Traffic movements in the vicinity were temporarily regulated, 15 minutes before the blast. 

Surrounded by residential buildings and elevated roads, all four 20-story buildings belonged to a large-scale shopping mall project, which started construction in 2001; however, due to the tightening capital chain, it was left unfinished. 

This plot later changed several ownerships yet failed to reach fruition, and it has since been left abandoned for about two decades.

It will now be developed into a 275,000 square-meter commercial building complex with luxurious offices, shopping outlets, entertainment zones, and high-end hotels.