The Chinese nation's capital city of Beijing will focus on the construction of infrastructure and environmental protection next year in its drive to accelerate modernization.

It is the guidelines from the economic work conference in Beijing that closed Saturday. Information from the meeting said that 60 major construction projects are arranged for the year of 2001, and these projects will cost 128 billion Yuan.

These will include 28 new projects and 32 projects being constructed or near completion. Construction of information infrastructure should also be sped up and application of information and on-line technology for urban management fields should also be promoted.

Next year's harnessing of atmospheric pollution will target controlling pollution. Construction of major sewage and trash treatment projects will be sped up. More trees and grass will be planted along the city's roads and streets.

In the next five years, 3 million square meters of endangered and dilapidated housing in the city will be demolished and rebuilt, said conference sources.

(Xinhua 12/23/2000)