Shandong Acting Governor Han Yuqun told Xinhua that his province is expected to spend 68 billion yuan (about 8.2 billion US dollars) to complete its high-rated highway network by adding 1,400 kilometers to its expressways.

The province will also improve the logistics functions of the ports of Qingdao, Yantai and Rizhao in an effort to have a complete set of modern ports.

Han also disclosed that Shandong plans to put another 55.5 billion yuan (some US$6.68 billion) into building the third-generation wireless communication system in the next five-year period.

Moreover, the province plans to build the Haiyang nuclear powerstation to upgrade its power grid.

Ni Yongkang, director of the Shandong Provincial Development and Planning Commission, said that Shandong will invest 19 billion yuan (approximately US$2.29 billion) this year to improve transport and communication facilities, mainly to accelerate the pace of construction on the extension projects of Jinan and Qingdao airports.

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2003)