East China's metropolis -- Shanghai will invest 40 billion yuan (US$4.9 billion) from this year through 2008 to improve its environment, senior city officials said yesterday.

The investment will finance 260 projects including an improved environmental protection infrastructure, pollution reductions and upgraded environmental management standards.

Up to 70 percent of the funds will come from the government. Investment and technology contributions from foreign and private companies are welcomed as well.

The new round of investment represents the city's third three-year environmental plan.

"Previous plan enforcement has proven successful and laid solid ground for building Shanghai into an ecological city," said city government Vice Secretary General Hong Hao.

Water quality in downtown rivers improved 21.5 percent from 2003, and noxious smells from the water have been mostly eliminated.

Airborne dust was reduced by nearly 30 percent last year across the entire city, and the number of days with air quality in the good range remained above 85 percent for three straight years for the first time in 20 years.

Downtown greenery coverage increased by 7 percentage points to 37 percent, and green land per capita increased by 3.4 square meters to 11.

The new plan calls for construction and renovation of sewage pipelines and treatment plants to increase the sewage treatment rate to 75 percent from the current 70 percent.

Chongming, Hengsha and Changxing islands will also start building sewage systems, and 90 percent of suburban townships should be served by treatment facilities.

Two major sewage plants in Pudong will be upgraded to higher capacity.

By 2008, 70 percent of the city's coal-powered generators will be equipped with devices that reduce sulfur emissions.

Officials said they will expand the zone in which coal burning is not allowed.

The city will also implement stricter auto emission standards. By 2008, vehicles will have to meet European II rules to enter the Inner Ring Road.

(Shanghai Daily January 13, 2006)