Beijing [Images], the Chinese capital, will limit its population to 18 million by 2020 as per a new development blueprint, a report said on Saturday.

The permanent resident population of Beijing in 2003 was 14.56 million.

The new Beijing city plan for 2004 to 2020, just passed by the state council, or China's cabinet, will replace the 1993 resolution adopted by the government.

According to the city plan, the municipality will change the current 'one centre' layout model to a 'multi-centre' one. This means several more city centres with different functions will be built to form an urban structure, which will also include new satellite cities and townships.

Till date, a total of 11 new satellite cities have come up in and around Beijing. These cities will work to channel away the population in, and the functions of, the central parts of Beijing and promote regional development.