SHENZHEN will be able to host a successful Universiade in 2011 given its financial strength, good infrastructure and other resources, according to a top government leader.
“It will be a milestone for the city’s progress toward an international city to host the influential world sports event,” said Vice Mayor Liang Daoxing in an exclusive interview with the Shenzhen Daily yesterday.
As one of the earliest special economic zones in China, Shenzhen has lived up to its reputation as the most open Chinese city with its rapid economic growth and dynamic market system.
Shenzhen’s economy has grown 1,800 times over the last 26 years with its gross domestic product (GDP) reaching US$60 billion in 2005.
“We would like to serve as a volunteer to the Universiade,” said Liang, referring to the government’s commitment to offering strong financial support and mobilizing various social resources.
The financial support will include subsidies and advance payments to the organizing committee, investment in sports facilities, and tax exemptions for certain kinds of revenues, according to Liang.
The government will also mobilize the city’s 140,000-strong volunteer team, translators from universities, enterprises and other organizations who speak English, French and Spanish, and media groups in China and abroad.
As for sports facilities, Liang estimated that the event would need 54 sports venues including 29 for competitions and 25 for training. Currently 22 venues are in perfect condition. Ten others will be renovated and 22 will be built specially for the event.
The new facilities will include the Universiade City, where the main stadium and gymnasium are located, and an offshore sports base.
“The Universiade Village in the Universiade City can accommodate 12,000 people with multiple service functions such as a theater, a clinic, a post office, a bank, and even a prayer hall,” said the vice mayor.
At present there are more than 30,000 rooms in more than 250 hotels above three-star level in the city and the number of such hotels may reach 1,000 in 2011. Besides, the city is known in China for a rich variety of domestic and international cuisines.
The financial support will include subsidies and advance payments to the organizing committee, investment in sports facilities, and tax exemptions for certain kinds of revenues, according to Liang.
The government will also mobilize the city’s 140,000-strong volunteer team, translators from universities, enterprises and other organizations who speak English, French and Spanish, and media groups in China and abroad.
As for sports facilities, Liang estimated that the event would need 54 sports venues including 29 for competitions and 25 for training. Currently 22 venues are in perfect condition. Ten others will be renovated and 22 will be built specially for the event.
The new facilities will include the Universiade City, where the main stadium and gymnasium are located, and an offshore sports base.
“The Universiade Village in the Universiade City can accommodate 12,000 people with multiple service functions such as a theater, a clinic, a post office, a bank, and even a prayer hall,” said the vice mayor.
At present there are more than 30,000 rooms in more than 250 hotels above three-star level in the city and the number of such hotels may reach 1,000 in 2011. Besides, the city is known in China for a rich variety of domestic and international cuisines.
The city’s public transportation network, consisting of a well-expanded Metro system and a bus system, will also meet the needs of the international sports event, Liang said.
The number of Metro lines will be expanded to five from the current two with a total length of 150 kilometers in 2011. The city will also boast 500 bus routes and 20,000 taxies by then. “We have planned a special transport system for the event. All the stadiums and gyms will be linked by bus services with at least two bus routes,” said Liang.
Despite a young city with a short history and young population, Shenzhen has a lot of experience in hosting large-scale domestic and international events, and wide exposure to world cultures due to its proximity to the international metropolis Hong Kong, said the vice mayor.
“The event (Universiade) will be good to the young generation yearning for more integration with their world peers and be more influential in Asia and the world,” said Liang.