US$2.4 Billion to Boost Shenzhen's Economy

Shengzhen, a South China city plans to input 20 billion yuan (US$2.4 billion) in transportation and telecommunications over the next five years, in hopes of upgrading its facilities to the level of its neighbour Hong Kong.

The preliminary scheme of transportation and telecommunications for the 10th Five-year Plan (2001-05) and for the following decade have been drafted by city leaders.

Plans have also been made to invest another 35 billion yuan (US$4.2 billion) from 2006 to 2015.

With the enormous input, Shenzhen aims to establish sound transportation and telecommunication facilities in the next 15 years, pushing the city to the forefront of the country.

When released from the restriction of comparatively backward supporting facilities, it is believed Shenzhen's economy will rapidly take off, said an official from the city's transportation bureau.

The proposed infrastructure construction includes dozens of projects covering highways, railways, water transportation, aviation, public transportation, telecommunications and the postal system.

With advanced transportation and telecommunication means stretching out to every corner of the country and even the world, Shenzhen is also expected to strengthen its role as a regional hub.

Relying on the improving conditions, Shenzhen also plans to pillar material distribution services into one of its three backbone industries.

In air travel, Southern Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines are to add six to eight aircraft to meet the booming market demands in regional and overseas lines during the 10th five-year plan.

Flights between Shenzhen and major Southeast Asian countries are also to be launched or in some cases resumed.

A feasibility study on routes to Japan, North America and Europe is scheduled to be conducted soon.

The total road mileage of Shenzhen is also to be increased by 500 more kilometres over the current 1,300 kilometres by the end of 2005.

By 2015, the city's road density is expected to parallel that of medium-developed countries.

Meanwhile, in port areas as Yantian Port, 10 more container's berths are to be constructed alongside a bonded warehouse and a bonded area during the five-year period.



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