I HAVE been reading with interest about the upcoming Universiade. Shenzhen’s aspiration to be an international city, promoting the wider and correct use of English, infrastructure development, is an issue close to my heart.

    I recently relocated back to the city from Shanghai after being away for five years. I lived here from 1998 to 2005 and witnessed the preparation of Shanghai from 2005 until late last year when it successfully hosted the Expo 2010.

    I can’t help but compare the transformation of both cities; not just in terms of material development such as infrastructure and wealth, but also the immaterial things such as courtesy and civility.

    A case in point was March 18 when I returned from a business trip from the Pearl of the Orient. On arrival at Shenzhen International Airport around midnight, I was met with a chaotic scene at the Main Entrance/Exit of Terminal A where passengers were trying to queue for buses and taxis.

    In my previous stay here, I always had the benefit of a company driver to meet and greet me, but this time around, I joined the queue to get a cab home. The area was not signposted, lanes were not designated and the lighting was poor.

    There were guards moving around but they made no attempt to help direct traffic. I can’t help but compare my arrival at Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport a few days before (long after the Expo) where the queue was orderly and directions well placed and lit. The staff on duty were efficient and passengers were ferried away swiftly and there was no queue jumping.

    Sometimes it is not just the infrastructure that needs to be developed, it is also the people and public administration.

    Vincent Choo via e-mail