"The relocation in the city is a gradual process and it's hard to count a total number," Sui Zhenjiang, director of the city's construction committee, told news conference today. "But the 1.5 million figure is definitely wrong."

The Geneva-based Center on Housing Rights and Evictions, in a report issued in June, said residents were forced to move with little notice and poor compensation as Beijing rebuilds itself for the Olympics Games.

Sui said that 40,000 had been relocated yearly, and about 2,000 were moved to build new venues for the games. He said most residents were content with compensation, adding that 16,000-17,000 "affordable" houses had been built in the city of 15 million.

"Most people being relocated are satisfied," he said. "There are only a few cases of dissatisfaction, and we have the legal procedure to resolve such problems."

In its rush to modernize, Beijing officials have been widely criticized for razing classic, low-rise courtyard neighborhoods and replacing them with look-alike glass towers. Some of the new architecture also lacks any connection to Chinese themes.