Mayor Outlines Beijing's 10-Year Development PlanBeijing will speed up urban construction and economic development in the coming decade, as the city will host the 2008 Olympiad, Mayor Liu Qi told visiting Singaporean guests Thursday.In a meeting with Alan Chan Heng Loon, permanent secretary of Singapore's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Liu said Beijing will focus on the development of high-tech industries including information, software and biomedicine in the coming 10 years. Meanwhile, the Chinese capital will speed up infrastructure construction by improving the road condition and natural gas supply, said the mayor. "Beijing will improve the citizens' living standards by renovating old houses and apartment buildings in the city," he told the guests. "We will make every effort to protect cultural relics in our renovation of the old city." Beijing's development relies on the concerted efforts of the citizens, Liu said, adding that the city has sent over 100 cadres to study abroad each year, in an effort to improve their overall capacity. "Presently, Beijingers are engaged in a city-wide English study campaign," he said, expressing hope that Beijing and Singapore will enhance exchanges in urban construction and human resources development. Alan Chan Heng Loon congratulated Beijing for its successful bid for the 2008 Olympiad, describing it as "a great achievement for Beijingers as well as all Asian people." |
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