Guangzhou, one of the major gates to the outside world in south China and also capital of economically prospering Guangdong Province, will build six new subways in the years to come.

The length of subways in Guangzhou is expected to be extended to 200 km by 2010, said Mayor Zhang Guangning.

"The city's function as a central city will be further improved," added Zhang, "if its subways are connected by track transport networks with other cities in the Pearl River Delta."

Currently, there are only two subways in operation in this southern city, with the length totaling 41.8 kilometers. Construction of the third and fourth subways in the city is underway, and building of the fifth one will get started later this year.

Preparatory work for construction of the sixth, seventh and eighth subways are also underway.

(newsgd.com February 20, 2004)