What do they mean by Axis? in this WAN article...

[Krisidious]

full Article
http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.commentview&comment_id=63

The national and international press have been in a frenzy this week over the new north-south axis reshaping central Beijing. Much play has been made of its inherent Imperial connotations, and the involvement of German architect Albert Speer, son of Hitler’s architect of the same name. Parallels have even been drawn with the rise of the Chinese totalitarian state and pre war Germany. It’s a great story for the media but it wouldn’t be the first time the press got it wrong over Beijing. (see Comment 2nd May 2007) Seventy years ago, his father was dubbed the “the first architect of the Third Reich” and was best known ..........

do they mean that China is going to reorient North/South?

or are they using word play on the old Germany/Japan Axis?

what's wrong with building a new city?

you would think being an architecture magazine we could see some examples...

[DzineTech]

@krisidious said:

or are they using word play on the old Germany/Japan Axis?

I would say this given the reference to the third reich etc..

[Krisidious]

I guess a son can never step outside of his father's shadow... it's a shame, that an architecture site like that would not even show the work, but just play on words for news.

[Alan Fraser]

Beijing is planning a complete revamp. Albert Speer III is using the basic North South axis and gridiron that already exists, especially around the Forbidden City...and goes back to the 1600s...to sweep away much of the low rise clutter and come up with a capital city downtown area suitable for the kind of nation the Chinese anticipate they will become in the 21st century.
http://www.uscpfa-mn.org/USCPFA_photofiles/update8.05/Exhibition%20Hall%20for%20Beijing%20Institute_full.JPG

The use of the term "axis" is not clear at all in the article. At times it does seem to be referring to the actual orientation of the Berlin city plan.