Weihai, a coastal city in east China's Shandong Province, is aiming to become the country's most comfortable city for people to live.

To help this happen, the local government has made environmental protection a priority.

This year, the city rejected 124 investment projects which experts said would damage the environment. These rejections meant the loss of US$650 million worth of potential investment.

The architectural style of the city is being carefully studies. All the buildings built around the 1980s are undergoing renovation this year. Some flat roofs are being converted into more modern sloping roofs and a number of up-to-date villas have been built along the coast.

Improving urban facilities is another major task. In recent years, the local government has built cultural centers, theme parks, stadiums, libraries and schools. Assessment has shown that over 80 percent of these and other community facilities are well- equipped.

Statistics show that over the past ten years, the city's transportation has vastly improved. The city has 400 buses provide the public with seven day transport. Transport by sea to ROK (Republic of Korea), Japan, Hong Kong and Dalian is now available.

In addition, the city's telecommunication system and energy supply have been revamped during over the last decade.

(China Daily February 24, 2002)