Strong government support has provided Shenzhen with a boost in its bid for the 2011 Universiade. As soon as Shenzhen unveiled its bid to host the event, the general public have also been keen to add their weight to the candidature.

Despite the Universiade being five years away, Shenzhen government and city residents are committed to providing perfect service and strong support to the games.

The municipal planning bureau has set aside 13.7 square kilometers of land in Longgang District as the Universiade City, a compact district incorporating sports venues, accommodation, education, culture, commerce, tourism and recreation facilities. Within the Universiade City is the seven square kilometre Universiade Park comprising the 1.2 square kilometer Universiade Center, surrounded by mountain ridges and lakes.

"The construction of the Unviersiade City will force changes in the urban layout and functions of the eastern part of the city. The planning bureau is busy researching the function of the surrounding urban facilities and their feasibility," (NOTE _ WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?) said Li Tairan, vice director of the planning bureau's urban planning section.

The bureau invited bids from across the world for the Universiade Center's design, including a 60,000-seat main stadium, an 18,000 spectator gymnasium and a swimming pool with 3,000 fixed seats. Seven designs were received, among which the No.2 design (NOTE THIS MEANS NOTHING _ SAY WHO WON OR FROM WHICH COUNTRY) for the Universiade Center has been selected.

Shenzhen Sports Administration has decided to use 54 sports venues for the 2011 Unviersiade, among which 22 are existing venues, 10 needing renovation and another 22 which will be newly built. Eight are currently under construction and work will begin soon on a further 14 venues, said Li Changfa, sports administration office director.

The environmental protection bureau is busy appraising the Universiade Park to make sure that it will be environmentally friendly in its design, construction and management. Professors with the urban planning school and the environment science school of Zhongshan University in Guangzhou are being invited to write an ecological environment consultancy report for the Universiade Park.

The transportation authorities are sparing no effort to ensure transport facilities can cater for athletes, tourists and residents in 2011.

Shenzhen Metro has begun collecting 10,000 passengers' signatures to support the Universiade bid. By 2010, the No. 1 route of Shenzhen Metro will be extended to the airport, No. 2 route to Shekou terminal, No. 3 route to Longgang District, where the Universiade City is located, and No. 4 route to Longhua in Bao'an District. An underground network covering more than 150 kilometers will be formed bringing great convenience to tourists as well as residents.

A marine reclamation project has already started at Shenzhen airport which will ensure by 2011, a second runway will be in use accommodating more international routes.

The municipal public security bureau has vowed to ensure tight security for the games. It will hold a security exercise this week in front of FISU representatives and the traffic police bureau has also worked on regulations to ensure smooth traffic during the games.

Editor: Yan