To transform itself into a major international shipping center,
Shanghai plans to build a new deep-water container port by 2002.
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)
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