The city of Dalian in northeastern China had a theme of "Cities for All" at the World Habitat Day 1999 Global Celebration Meeting on October 4.

　 Dr. Klans Toepfer, the deputy secretary-general of the United Nations and acting executive director of UNCHS (Habitat), and Yu Zhengsheng, China's Minister of Construction, participated in a variety of activities with Chinese and foreign guests for the event.

　 In a speech at the opening ceremony, Yu said that the theme is for those who do not enjoy the convenience of urban living and that, since China's reform and opening-up began, it has achieved a great deal in its urban housing construction.

　 China has won the UN Habitat Prize 8 times, which is the major reason for the meeting in Dalian, he said, and told participants that China has carried out a number of reforms in residential financing, distribution, and related areas, greatly improving housing construction and the environment.

　 In the last 20 years, China has built 18.5 billion square meters of residential housing and the average per capita urban living space went up from 3.6 square meters in 1978 to 9.3 square meters last year, and that for rural people went up from 8.1 sq.m. to 23 sq.m.

　 He said that China has paid a great deal of attention to infrastructure and public service facilities and has spent a lot improving the environment.

　 Dr. Toepfer gave the 1999 UN Habitat Award to Dalian's Mayor Bo Xilai at the meeting. (Xinhua)