The traditional industrial city of Shenyang in Northeast China's Liaoning Province has joined forces with the European Union (EU) to promote the city's sustainable development and increase the population's standard of living.
The city has begun a three-year urban planning project with the EU to improve the city's situation in transportation, land use, infrastructure and urban services, housing, natural and artificial environment, as well as marketing and investment promotion.
"The cooperation with the EU has played an important role in introducing the experiences from advanced European cities and accelerating the city's opening-up drive, which is of far-reaching significance in promoting the city's development," Wang Weizhong, vice-director of the guiding group of the Shenyang urban planning project, said at an international workshop on sustainable development of Shenyang, which ended over the weekend.
He remarked that experts from the EU have put forward many constructive proposals and suggestions to enhance the city's urban planning since the project was initiated two and a half years ago.
These include the proposal to get the city's Imperial Palace and two tombs -- Zhaoling Tomb and Beiling Tomb, both priceless historic treasures left by the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) -- on the World Heritage List.
Chen Jianzhi, Chinese co-director of the project, added EU experts have also introduced many advanced conceptions and experiences for the city's renovation of the Tiexi industrial district, the construction of Hunnan new district and the harnessing of the Hunhe River.
Shenyang, a famous traditional industrial base in China, has made significant contributions to the national economy, especially in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
However, the city has lagged behind many coastal and southern regions in recent years following China's adoption of a market economy. Besides, many environmental problems, such as industrial pollution, have been inherited from the past.
"We are trying to bring together economic growth and environmental protection here in Shenyang," said Peter Peguero Ross, EU co-director of the project.
Despite some special problems, Ross said the city also has many advantages, such as a marvellous history, a skilled labour base and a reputation for fine-quality machine parts and control equipment.
Michael Brammah, project co-ordinator from the EU, said he hopes the European team -- composed of different experts, including planners, economists, finance experts, lawyers and engineers -- can share their experiences and lessons learned in Europe with the city to find out how to move forward together.
(China Daily April 22, 2002)
