Shenzhen would allocate 22.3 billion yuan (US$3.2 billion) to improve residents' living standards this year, Shenzhen Mayor Xu Zongheng said Thursday.
This was 2.25 billion yuan more than last year and would account for 74.4 percent of the government budget for the year, Xu said in a work report to 327 deputies at the opening session of the annual meeting of the local legislature.
Xu said the money would be used in the construction of major infrastructure, such as the Metro, roads, environmental protection projects and cultural and educational facilities.
The government would improve income for residents, create more employment opportunities to keep registered urban unemployment rate within 3 percent and maintain equilibrium in the development of education between districts inside the special economic zone and Longgang and Bao'an districts.
The expenditure on education, health care, social security and employment would reach 6.12 billion yuan, an increase of 35 percent over the 2007 budget.
The money will be spent on subsidies for the cancellation of education fees, which will benefit 600,000 students in the city, improvement of school facilities in Bao'an and Longgang districts and the construction of more community clinics.
Shenzhen's GDP is expected to rise 12 percent this year, 1 percent lower than 2007. Land consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP was forecast to drop 10 percent while energy and water consumption was expected to decline 2.75 percent and 4 percent respectively, said Xu.
To achieve the goal, the government would promote mechanisms for innovation through cooperation with Hong Hong, deepening reforms in administrative and economic systems and upgrading industrial structure.
To catch up with advanced cities of the world, Shenzhen should learn from Asian cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul in all aspects such as social management, public service, urban construction and government operation, Xu said.
Shenzhen and Hong Kong would strengthen cooperation in the construction of border facilities, port and terminal links and development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop in the restricted border zone between Lok Ma Chau and Huanggang checkpoints.
(by Han Ximin)
