A nine-hour preparatory drilling, designed to fully test logistical plans for the forthcoming 9th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting successfully concluded here early Sunday morning.

More than 1,000 people, and over 300 vehicles, were at the exercise which was staged by the Chinese Preparatory Committee of the ninth APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

Included among the activities were analog news conferences, and inspections of traffic conditions.

A series of APEC activities have been scheduled to be held in Shanghai later this month.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to the convening of the meeting, vowing to make it a successful new century "grand gathering".

The municipal government of Shanghai has also made great efforts to create a sound social environment for the APEC meeting. Citizens will actively participate in preparations for the event and will honor APEC with beautiful urban surroundings, good social order and high quality services.

(People's Daily 10/08/2001)