SHENZHEN will spend 100 billion yuan (US$14.6 billion) to improve the city's infrastructure ahead of the 2011 Universiade, tripling the city's investment in infrastructure during the first 20 years after the special economic zone was founded in 1980, a senior government official said Monday.
This does not include the 10 billion yuan to be used to build sports venues for the Universiade.
"We hope to take the chance brought by the Universiade to upgrade the city's related infrastructure and let residents feel the convenience brought by the investments," said Vice Mayor Liang Daoxing at a conference at the Citizens' Center.
"We will try our best to get financial support from the Central Government for the key projects for the Universiade in the next two to three years," Liang said.
The big outlay for infrastructure is also expected to help Shenzhen's economy amid the financial crisis.
As of now, six of the 31 sports venues planned for the Universiade have been finished. The construction of the main body of the Universiade stadium in Longgang is expected to be completed by Spring Festival, according to Liang.
Shenzhen sent people to Beijing to learn from its Olympic experience, the conference was told.
Shenzhen Daily