BEIJING - Renovated sports venues, an online torch relay, and new-energy vehicles are all signs that Shenzhen is thinking green in its preparations for the coming 26th World University Games.

"We are committed to low carbon emissions and environmental protection in getting ready for the games," Shenzhen Mayor Xu Qin said in a news conference held by the State Council Information Office on Friday.

Instead of building new stadiums, expending energy and resources, Shenzhen has renovated 41 of the 63 venues to be used at the World University Games, or Universiade, according to city statistics.

The Athletes Village built for the event will be merged into the Shenzhen Institute of Information and Technology, after the Universiade, Xu said.

In another innovation to conserve energy and resources, the city launched an online torch relay, giving huge numbers of average citizens a chance to be a torchbearer without having to leave their homes.

The online torch relay began on May 10, at the same time as the Universiade torch relay, and more than 6 million netizens have participated, 770,000 as torchbearers, Xu said.

In keeping with its green standards, this year Shenzhen put 2,011 new-energy vehicles into use across the city and opened five subway lines, with a total length of 178 kilometers, significantly relieving traffic congestion.

"The new lines can carry about 1.8 million passengers a day, which will drastically cut down on street traffic during the Universiade," the mayor said.

Xu said he is fully confident about the traffic situation during the games - although the city has withdrawn its initial even-odd license plate plan - and he said he will use public transport during the Universiade.

He also said he will guarantee the Universiade's security by taking "necessary measures", but he didn't give details.

At the 30-day countdown ceremony to the games on July 13, Wang Rong, Shenzhen Party chief and vice-president of the Universiade organizing committee, called on drivers to make efforts to travel green.

By Thursday, about 147 countries and regions had registered for the Universiade, the total enrolment reaching 11,310, including 7,587 athletes, according to city statistics.

About 505 athletes from 110 universities in China will participate.

The Universiade is an international multisport event for university athletes aged 17 to 28, organized by the International University Sports Federation since 1959.

China Daily

(China Daily 07/23/2011 page2)