Martin Li

    martin.mouse@163.com

    SHENZHEN leaders pledged at a meeting Thursday to make improvements in the city’s urban environment, rule of law and public civility, among other aspects, in an effort to become a more international metropolis.

    A document released Thursday details goals the city aims to achieve. They include constructing 200 landscaping projects at exits and entrances of Metro stations before 2017, reducing PM2.5 particles to 26 micrograms per cubic meter, putting covers on dumpsters and garbage trucks, and treating over 98 percent of the city’s wastewater.

    The government plans to push forward projects that concern residents, such as improving the urban environment, ecology and traffic.

    Party chief Wang Rong said Shenzhen can only gather high-end resources and become more competent by providing a sound living and working environment.

    “Shenzhen still lags behind the world’s developed cities in urban development,” said Wang. “Traffic jams, water pollution and air pollution need to be addressed.”

    Shenzhen’s leadership hopes to follow model international cities like New York, Singapore and Hong Kong.

    The meeting urged residents to abide by the law, advocate civilized conduct and promote the public good.

    In another development, Shenzhen plans to hold its annual seminar Sept. 17 to gather members of its internationalization think tank.