Shenzhen has earmarked 10.9 billion yuan (HK$10.2 billion) for city infrastructure, to create a better environment to attract more investment and talent. According to a government work report by Mayor Yu Youjun, Shenzhen has budgeted 17.7 billion yuan for 140 government projects, of which 10.9 billion yuan will be spent on city infrastructure. This will include 1.6 billion yuan on establishing a 'three-dimensional modern transport system' including the continued construction of the city's railway system, the west link connecting Shekou to Hong Kong and an underground tunnel at Lowu checkpoint. This will, the Shenzhen Government hopes, ease the traffic jams that have become part of life for most Shenzhen residents. The city also wants to add some cultural flair to a city that has been criticised for lacking style. According to the government work report, Shenzhen will build an international convention centre, a university city and a cultural centre. The report also promised more money for the hi-tech industrial park and other educational facilities this year. Education also received a boost by winning 15 per cent more in funding. The city has also earmarked 600 million yuan to create so-called lungs for the city which is dominated by high-rise concrete buildings. The idea is to plant more trees and build more parks. Shenzhen authorities have promised to plant five million trees a year. Shenzhen People's Congress delegates and landscape designers criticised the city for planting too few trees and too much grass, which is more demanding on the environment. 'Shenzhen wants to foster an image of being an international garden city,' said Liu Xianfa, an economist with Shenzhen Comprehensive Development Research Institute. He said preferential policies such as lower taxes and cheaper land would do little to attract multinationals and hi-tech industries to the city. Shenzhen has made 'industrial structure adjustment' its most important task this year as it endeavours to shed its image of being a manufacturer of cheap toys and clothing to become a hi-tech and service hub. 'What attracts professionals to a city is the clean air, easy and fast transport, cultural and educational facilities and a beautiful living environment, ' said Mr Liu.
