If bureau officials reach their goals, per capita green space could reach 5.2 square meters by year's end, up from last year's 4.6 square meters.

"Shanghainese should thank all gardening workers for their efforts in past years," said Vice Mayor Han Zheng. "But the fact can't be ignored that the city is still below China's standard of 6 square meters of green space per capita."

Bureau officials have promised that 23 percent of public lands will be covered by trees, flowers and meadows by the end of this year.

City government wants the level to reach 30 percent by the end of 2005, which would mean per capita green space would reach 7 square meters.

"In 2005, anyone in Shanghai who wants to appreciate green space will only have to step out of his or her home and walk no more than 500 meters," predicted the bureau spokesman Xiao Qianghua.

Bureau officials said their major projects for this year will be adding green belts along downtown's Yan'an and Huashan roads and the Xujiahui commercial area, and planting an additional 40,000 large trees from 100 species not found here.

Xiao said city workers now will no longer limit a tree's height by pruning because overhead wires and cables have been removed and placed underground.

"Shanghai's beautification is just like a relay race," said Vice Mayor Han. "Grasping the baton this year, we should use high technology and develop the landscape along the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek."

Last year, the city added 828 hectares of new greenery with flower beds, lawns and trees to downtown public lands.

In addition, the walls - with a total length of 34 kilometers - along hotels, universities and companies have been knocked down to share their green space with passersby and to beautify Shanghai, which now has 122 parks, Xiao said.

(Eastday.com 01/26/2001)