A worker installs a flag at the Sydney Convention Center in Darling Harbor Aug 28, 2007 during preparations for the weeklong Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting scheduled for the first week of September. - Xinhua/Reuters

Australia is beefing up security in Sydney, the largest city of the country, while brightening up key locations in the city to welcome the forthcoming economic leaders meeting of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Sydney police have sealed off the Convention Center and Exhibition Center with steel and concrete fences while busy setting up fences along PITT Street near the Sydney Opera House, another major meeting venue for the economic leaders and senior officials.

Police wearing APEC badges are patrolling the city center and key tourist spots such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge, with a group of them in sportive uniform riding on racing bikes.

A kaleidoscope of color across Sydney's downtown areas will welcome over 4,000 leaders, senior officials, foreign and trade ministers, business leaders and over 1,500 media as they gather for the APEC forum from Sept 1-9.

The leaders include Chinese President Hu Jintao, US President Gorge W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Republic of Korea President Roh Moo-hyun and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

APEC themed flower beds and APEC branded street banners reflecting the Australian personality will brighten up key locations across the Sydney Harbor Foreshore Authority and the City of Sydney precincts.

Commonwealth APEC Spokeswoman Anne Fulwood said that more than 1,000 banners across the city in a range of colors will provide a snap-shot of Australian personality, life and culture whilst celebrating Australia's leadership role as host economy of the APEC forum in 2007.

"The banners in warm and welcoming vibrant earthy colors will also showcase a mix of sponsor branding and APEC themes including 'Strengthening Our Community, Building a Sustainable Future'," Fulwood said.

"Flower beds, representing the warm Aussie glow of the APEC Australia 2007 logo, have added a spring flavor to APEC displays around Darling Harbor," she said.

"The objective is to show off the beautiful city of Sydney, rather than to promote APEC, however some banners bear themes of the APEC Australia 2007 year," she added.

The banners will be erected at key locations across the city in Darling Harbor, Hyde Park, George Street, Martin Place and en-route to Sydney airport. Installation of the street banners started on Aug. 27 and will be completed on Sept 3.

To commemorate Australia's hosting of the event, Australia Posthas issued a new postage stamp featuring Australia's distinctive seven-point Star of Federation.

The stamp is the second commemorative item released nationally and follows the APEC Australia 2007 dollar coin release in January this year.

The APEC Economic Leaders Meeting will be the most significant international meeting ever hosted by Australia. The APEC Australia2007 year has involved up to 100 days of ministerial, officials-level and business group meetings across the country, culminating with APEC Leaders Week next week.

A 45-minute performance, featuring over 200 young performers and famous artists representing Australia's contemporary arts industry, culture and heritage will be showcased to Leaders, delegates and officials during APEC Leaders Week.

More than 750 guests, in addition to leaders from the 21 APEC Member Economies, will gather at Sydney Opera House on Sept 8 to view the performance which crosses many genres from classical music, modern dance, music theater, ballet and opera.

At the conclusion of the cultural performance, a brief "River of Fire" fireworks display will light up Sydney Harbor to mark the conclusion of the APEC Australia 2007 year, at the same time as Leaders and VIPs attend official dinners.

This short five-minute firework display, accompanied by some tall ships and yachts on the harbor, will feature a colorful display fired from barges only, not from the Sydney Harbor Bridge. It will complement the APEC logo that will shine from the Harbor Bridge from Sept 2-9.

However, not all Sydney residents welcome the big event. "I'm afraid the event will disrupt Sydney's traffic and bring inconvenience to us," said Veronika, a clerk at the information desk of Sydney Opera House.

She said Sydney Opera House will lose profits as the house will close to the public for a week, hoping that the government will give compensation.

Imran, a souvenir shop owner in PITT street, echoed Veronika's concern. "As the street will be blockaded for a week, we could lose as many as 20,000 dollars," he said.

"Hosting this great international event will involve some disruptions for our city so we want to provide as much information as possible," Commonwealth APEC Spokeswoman Fulwood said.

To ease the concern of some residents, Fulwood said the APEC 2007 Task Force is committed to keeping residents and the business community informed about the changes occurring in Sydney, and is keen to provide more information to help people plan for APEC.

Fulwood said that residents, businesses, commuters and CBD workforce currently have access to information about APEC Leaders Week via telephone and internet and that soon many will have information delivered to their doorstep.

"In September, residents and business people will be asked for their patience and understanding as the international spotlight shines on our city and we extend our hospitality to our Asia-Pacific neighbors," she said.