THE State Council has approved a 10-year (2010-2020) plan aimed at making Shenzhen a "modern green city with a robust economy and harmonious society," according to a statement posted on the Central Government's Web site yesterday.

In its outline, the plan states that Shenzhen's population of residents with hukou, or permanent residence permits, will not exceed 11 million by 2020, and that land for urban construction in the 1,953-square-kilometer city should not exceed 890 square kilometers.

The city will further explore underground space during development and step up infrastructure construction of its airport, ports and railways.

According to the plan, Shenzhen and Hong Kong will enhance cooperation in six areas: transportation, customs, ecology, construction, finance and information technology.

Shenzhen became China's first special economic zone (SEZ) in 1980 and will celebrate its 30th anniversary Thursday.

The city's GDP reached a record high of 820.1 billion yuan (US$120 billion) last year, an increase of 10.7 percent over 2008. Its economic output is ranked fourth among 659 Chinese cities (behind Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou). In 2009, Shenzhen's per capita GDP came to 92,771 yuan, making it one of the richest Chinese cities.

Source:Shenzhen Daily