Beijing will soon launch a large-scale urban construction project in the south of the city, designed to balance the city's overall development and further improve the local residents' living environment, a senior official said.

"Focus will be put on the infrastructure construction," said Shen Baochang, director with Beijing Development Planning Committee, at the on-going fifth session of the 11th Beijing Municipal People's Congress.

The project will start with road rebuilding, upgrading the transport system, said the official.

The project also includes sewage treatment works on several rivers in the southern area.

As the Chinese capital, Beijing is the national political and cultural center, and also a center for international exchanges.

It will enhance its ability to handle these responsibilities and improve its capability as an international metropolis by developing business, logistics, and exhibitions and tourism, according to the official.

( January 29, 2002)