An electronic surveillance system has been introduced in Nanshan District to watch for and record the construction of illegal buildings, the Daily Sunshine reported Thursday.

The high-tech system, first installed in the district's Nantou area in June, has proved effective in deterring unlawful constructions, district officials said. The devices marked a new step forward since the city government piloted the use of satellites in monitoring illegal constructions.

The surveillance system will be gradually introduced in other districts, officials with the city's anti-illegal construction office said.

The long-distance cameras, the exact locations of which were not disclosed, can reportedly cover up to 16 kilometers in 24 hours. The short-range cameras which cover 300 meters will also be installed to monitor a specific site. The pictures taken by the cameras are sent back immediately to the district's anti-illegal construction office. Pictures of the construction of illegal buildings are kept on file as evidence.

During a tour of illegal constructions Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Xu Zongheng urged governments at all levels to prepare for the tough task ahead in the crackdown on illegal buildings. "We must not be lenient with violators," the mayor said.

All the cases involving illegal buildings should be promptly handled, Xu said.

Illegal buildings have been plaguing Shenzhen since the city shot to prosperity in the 1980s. Driven by high housing prices and rents, many people in Shenzhen are building houses without government approval.

Between early October and Nov. 28, the authorities have pulled down 438 illegal buildings in 246 operations.

The city government last month took over three illegal buildings in Dongming Garden in Nanshan District, instead of bulldozing them. The apartments will be rented out to low-income families.

The city's anti-illegal construction office said more illegal buildings will be appropriated in the future. "Dongming Garden is only a start," the office said.

Editor: Donald