Beijing is preparing for another group of key projects, including an urban railway route and a new subway extension, city mayor Liu Qi announced in Beijing November 12.

The city completed 53 of the 67 key projects this year as an undertaking to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of New China. The 67 projects will cost Beijing a total of 110 billion yuan.

The new projects are very important for improving the functions of Beijing as the country's capital as well as for promoting the city's economic growth, Liu said.

Also listed on the plan are a project to widen a road that runs along the southern part of the ancient city during Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, and a project to improve the road in Zhongguancun area known as China's "silicon valley" in northwestern part of Beijing, and the Fourth Ring-Road of the city.

The urban railway route Beijing is to start links the suburban area of Huilongguan in the north with the downtown area, and the subway, or No. five line, starts from Songjiazhuang in the south to Taipingzhuang in the north.

To further improve the city's environment, the city will pull down three-million sq m of huts, houses and other establishments which were put up with no approval from the city authorities or were not permitted by the city's relevant regulations or laws, the mayor said. (Xinhua)