China's capital Beijing will sharply hike investment for the construction of urban transport infrastructure next year, said an official from the Municipal Commission of Development and Reform on Tuesday.

Related investment in 2004 is expected to rise by 78.3 percent over the volume this year, said Liu Yinchun, head of the infrastructure section with the commission.

Liu said the direct investment by the municipal government in this regard this year was 2 billion yuan (US$241 million).

"Next year's transport infrastructure construction will focus on accelerated development of public transport characterized by track system," said Liu, adding that investment in the construction of transport links to the suburbs of the capital will also increase.

Beijing has been chosen as the venue for the summer Olympics in2008.

(People’s Daily December 17, 2003)