French "Spiderman" Alain Robert successfully scaled the world's tallest steel tower on Saturday. Robert took nearly two hours to climb up the side of the Central Plains Fortaleza tower in Zhengzhou city, the capital of China's central Henan province, Chinese state television reported The radio and television tower, the city's most prominent landmark, stands 388 metres (1,273 feet) tall, and Robert climbed to a platform at a height of 268 metres (879 feet). The 50-year-old climber has become famous for scaling skyscrapers and tall structures around the world without using ropes or safety equipment. He holds the Guinness World Record for "most buildings climbed unassisted". Robert usually embarks on the climbs wearing only light clothing, climbing shoes and carrying a small bag of chalk. However, on Saturday he used suction devices, mechanical ascenders and a safety rope to assist his ascent, as the glass and steel Fortaleza tower has no hand or footholds, CCTV said. Many of Robert's daring climbs have been carried out without permission, leading to him being arrested more than 100 times, and being imprisoned on a number of occasions. According to CCTV, his ascent of the Fortaleza tower was sanctioned by the authorities who had issued him with a permit.(****END****) ANCHOR VOICE: -------------------------VIDEO PRODUCER: Pete---------------------------VIDEO SOURCE: CCTV-----------------------VIDEO APPROVAL: ----------------------------VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: CCTV VNR - NO ACCESS CHINA - FOOTAGE PROVIDED BY CHINA'S STATE BROADCASTER ----------------------------------MARKET EMBARGO (S): CCTV VNR - NO ACCESS CHINA - FOOTAGE PROVIDED BY CHINA'S STATE BROADCASTER