The Chinese capital of Beijing is inviting investment for the construction of 50 urban infrastructure projects and public works in an attempt to privatize the sector.

Previously, construction of urban infrastructure and public works projects, which feature long term investment but low returns, were fully financed by the government.

Projects on the investment list include the No.4 and the first phase of the No.10 subways, with a total length of 52.73 kilometers, the extension project from Gaoliying to Shayugou on the Beijing-Chengde freeway, and a partial privatization of the Beijing section of the Beijing-Shijiazhuang freeway.

The Beijing Municipal Government said investment is also welcome in five sewage treatment plants, five trash treatment plants and a plant for treating medical waste.

Part of the 24.59-kilometer first phase of the No.10 subway will be specially constructed to link to Olympic Games venues in Beijing in 2008.

Completion of these 50 projects will require over 60 billion yuan (US$7.23 billion).

Zhao Wenzhi, director of Beijing Municipal Committee of Communications, said a range of measures, including exclusive dealership, establishment of a charging system, will be introduced to safeguard legitimate rights of investors.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2003)