Efforts are being made to improve Shenzhen's environment ahead of the World Environment Day celebrations, which will be held in the city between June 5 and 7.
Civic leaders only learned last month that Shenzhen had been appointed to sponsor the international celebrations by the United Nations Environment Programme.
This is the second time that a Chinese city has been given the honour of sponsoring the annual celebrations after Beijing in 1993.
Each year the United Nations Environment Programme selects a city in the world to sponsor the celebrations for World Environment Day, which falls on June 5.
Shenzhen will complete several projects before the end of May, which will enhance the appearance of the special economic zone, according to Vice-Mayor Zhuo Qinrui.
Buildings along the four major arteries of Shenzhen - the Shennan, Binhe, Hongling, and Huaqiang streets - will be repaired to ensure safety, appearance and cleanliness.
The vice-mayor called on the pollution treatment department to speed up efforts to improve water quality of the Shenzhen River, which is being spoiled by household wastes.
The city will also run campaigns to spur awareness of environmental protection among the residents, said Zhao Ziqing, an official at the Shenzhen Environmental Protection Bureau.
"We hope public awareness of environment protection will be strengthened through the campaigns and the celebrations," he said.
Shenzhen residents are backing the efforts of their local government leaders.
"As a resident of Shenzhen, I will play my own part in protecting the environment and I am sure the World Environment Day international celebrations in Shenzhen will be a success," said Wang Bo, a local resident.
(China Daily April 11, 2002)
