The first phase of construction, including the construction of five 15-metre berths, will be completed by the end of the 10th Five Year Plan (2001-05).

The new port will allow access to the sea for fifth-generation and sixth-generation container ships, which can carry between 5,000 and 6,000 20-foot containers, and will increase the city's capacity for maritime cargo transport, said Shanghai Vice-Mayor Han Zheng yesterday.

He made the announcement at a conference held to assess and promote Shanghai's three vital port programmes. The programmes include the city's international central airport project, its international shipping center project and the international cyber port project.

"The construction of such a deep-water port, coupled with the other centers, will lay a cornerstone for the city's economic growth in the new century," said Han.

"The ports could even fuel economic growth in the entire Yangtze River valley and central and western parts of the country," said Han.

Song Mi, a high-ranking official with the State Development Planning Commission, said the commission is now examining the three port projects in detail.

The city plans to become Asia's major airline hub within five to 10 years, capitalizing on its favourable geographical location and high-quality aviation facilities.

"Shanghai's central geographical location and the huge market potential of Asia make the city well positioned to be an international aviation centre," said Han.

Shanghai, the only Chinese city with two international airports, is expected to have the annual capacity to handle 100 million passengers and 5 million tons of cargo by 2010.

The first phase of construction of the Pudong International Airport was finished last September.
The city also has plans to extend the No 2 subway line to link the two airports to ease transportation problems.

On the cyber port programme, Han said Shanghai will transform itself into one of the world's major information centers within the next 10 years.

(China Daily 05/16/2000)