"The 17,000 guest rooms in over 30 four-star and five-star hotels are enough to accommodate the guests," said Yang Guoqiang, who is in charge of the preparation work. "Therefore, we have concentrated on the 'software upgrading', such as access to cable TV and drinkable water."

Over 2,000 cars and vans have been reserved for the APEC participants, said Yang.

Meanwhile, the city has stepped up efforts to ensure better communication services, including full signal coverage, ADSL wide- band connection and the global positioning system.

Shanghai has stepped up urban construction and optimized the environment to embrace friends from all the other 20 APEC member economies. Roads, bridges and buildings have been refurbished, and green belts are everywhere. The newly cleaned Suzhou River, which produced a foul odor for up to 80 years, is a showcase of Shanghai 's efforts to control pollution and improve environment.

The municipal government has been promoting APEC-related information among the citizens since early 2000, and English language training has been provided to security guards, taxi drivers, shop assistants, tourists and waiters.

Over 10,000 Shanghai residents have volunteered to assist with the APEC meetings, some of whom have served in previous APEC events here this year, including the MRT (Ministers Responsible for Trade) Meeting, the Youth Festival and the SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) Ministerial Meeting.

An estimate of 10,000 participants will flood into Shanghai next month for a number of APEC activities, including the Ninth APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (ELM).

(Xinhua News Agency 09/27/2001)