A set of social and economic measures have been put into place by the Shenzhen government in a bid to achieve sustainable development and a "harmonious and efficient Shenzhen."

The framework contains 41 parameters under four categories, which include macro economic efficiency, environmental protection, innovation and social harmony, according to a latest government gazette released Wednesday.

Under the framework, the city's GDP per capita will reach US$11,000 with a reduction of water consumption by 4 percent, land usage by 10 percent and electricity consumption by 1.4 percent annually by 2010.

While increasing GDP growth by an average of nine percent annually, the government will sharply increase spending on education, extending the coverage of medicare to most migrant workers and raising the recycling rate of urban sewage, among others.

Besides putting more than 4 percent of the city's GDP into education in 2010, it will increase the population of people who have received higher education, the number of patents invented by local people, the added value of high-tech products, in particular those invented by Chinese people, to beef up the city's reputation for innovation.

When the new government was set up in May, it had pledged to make Shenzhen a "harmonious and efficient" city and announced that a set of parameters to measure government performances and control related business behavior as well would be in place in September.

After the framework is implemented for some time, the government will consider including it in the city's rules and regulations, according to the government newsletter.

(Shenzhen Daily September 15, 2005)