China is to carry out massive projects of upgrading its highways, ports and transport facilities and equipment in the next five years, Vice Minister of Communications Hu Xijie said Thursday.
Hu told a press conference by the Information Office under the State Council that China will upgrade the technological standard of its artery highways and complete supplementary infrastructures such as parking lots and service stations.
He said that China will also accelerate the construction of large-scale harbors and container berths and increase the number of deep-water specialized docks along its coasts. In addition, China will buy more equipment to upgrade outdated docks.
According to Hu, the country will focus on developing advanced, energy-efficient vehicles for goods and passenger transportation. It will gradually reduce the proportion of general purpose automobiles and ships in total transportation capacity. The transport authorities will adopt compulsory rules to scrap obsolete automobiles and ships.
The communications sector will seize the opportunity of China's entry into the World Trade Organization to upgrade and re-organize the transportation system, Hu said. He said that the transportation industry will strive to expand operations into the field of modernized logistic service and integrate its businesses.
(Xinhua 03/29/2001)
