1. East Radio Station: Director Liu, can you tell me how the city's urban planning information for particular areas will be made accessible to the public? That is to say, will local citizens be informed about planning projects in the areas where they live or which they care about? Nowadays, many real estate developers promise that certain urban planning projects will be built which will benefit their property projects. Can citizens find out whether it is true or not? If certain construction projects are found to be outside of the local master plan, by what means can citizens make complaints?

Liu Haisheng (Director with the Shanghai Urban Planning Administration Bureau): Our transparent urban planning information covers two aspects: firstly, overall city planning projects: currently, our planning follows the State Council's 2001 general planning adjustment and we are focusing on detailed planning of the projects which need to be constructed in the short-term. After these plans are decided, they will be made public on the city's urban planning website, such as the plans for the 2010 World Expo; secondly, all our approved planning information for certain projects is available on the Internet. If you are not familiar with the Internet, you can apply to the local urban planning department for the relevant information.

2. Shanghai Television Station Comprehensive News Channel: We know that previously, when little attention was paid to overall management, urban planning followed the requirements of certain authorities and the required procedures were usually processed after construction had actually begun. Can you tell me, if such a situation arises in the future, how such people will be punished? Second question: as to our postal facilities, when will the new Shanghai Postal Facilities Management Regulation be implemented? Shanghai currently has a total of 569 post offices, each covering an average population of 11,200. How many people should a post office serve? My third question: It was reported recently that a person with a PhD degree in law from outside the city accused the Shanghai Municipal Engineering Administration of failing to inform the public about the collection of tolls on vehicles to help the government repay the loans taken out for the construction of local highways, elevated roads, bridges and tunnels. Has the local department responded to the accusation? From the government's point of view, what do you make of it?

Liu Haisheng: I want to correct your view first. Previously, we cannot say all our urban planning followed the requirements of the authorities. Great changes have taken place since the 1990s, when the planned economy model was transformed into the market economy model. I acted as a director with the district-based urban planning bureau in 1990 and at that time, I didn't foresee the direction urban planning would take over the past ten years or so. Previously, the master plan for the city was set out in 1983 and 1984, and it lagged behind the development of the market economy. Shanghai's general construction projects followed the planning and technical regulations of that time and were also approved by experts. However, it was likely that sometimes the authorities decided on these projects independently or that some projects hadn't been thought-through before being implemented. Therefore, we make changes on the basis of previous experience and lessons-learnt, and which also reflect new standards to be put forward when the local economy grew to a certain level. We have developed much green space over the past several years, whereas if a mayor had wanted to develop green space in the early 1990s he would have failed due to the many restrictions prevalent at that time. There is a big difference between the existing and previous planning ordinances: the new ordinances after December 1 2003 have controlled illegal building more strictly. Previously, people could complete procedures post-construction to make them retrospectively legal, but ordinance No.68 of the new urban planning regulation stipulates that all illegal structures must be torn down; those that cannot be torn down will be confiscated and those that cannot be confiscated will be paid for according to their market price. The purpose is to ensure the companies and units responsible for such illegal construction do not derive any profits from them.

Gu Changhao (deputy director of the Legal Affairs Office of Shanghai municipal government): As to your second question, the city's new Postal Facilities Management Regulation will go into effect on December 1 this year. I have just said that currently, every post office of the city serves up to 11,200 people, which is a large number when compared to developed countries. There are various reasons, including historic and China-specific reasons such as our large population. Mr. Yang, a director with the Shanghai Post Bureau, will elaborate on our intentions presently.

Jiao Yang: The case you mentioned has also caught our attention. We've learnt from relevant departments that it's not yet been accepted by any courts. I believe the law deparment will give us a fair judgement.
We started to ask drivers to pay a toll on roads to finance their cost in 1993. The government department in charge of the toll business has been following the local rules relating to payment management in collecting the toll from local drivers once a month and from out-of-town drivers every time they enter the city.
The money collected is all used to pay the outstanding debts of such projects as top-level highways, elevated highways, bridges and tunnels. We ring-fence the income and exspenditure.

3. Shanghai Morning Post: I have two questions. One is about the emergency reaction mechanism against bird flu. Is there anything in the pipeline in Shanghai? Anything new about Tamiflu, a drug used to counter bird flu? We've learnt that Roche doesn't produce Tamiflu in its Shanghai factory. I'd like to learn something about the city's reserve of Tamiflu or any other drug useful against bird flu. Has the local medical research center done anything relevant? Is there any breakthrough so far? The other question is about food safety. The Xinhua News Agency's Guangdong branch reported yesterday that Tianluxiang, a vegetable ingredient, is toxic. The KFC fast food chain, who used it to make a kind of soup, has sent it for examination in Shanghai, but the result of the examination is yet to be known. I don't know whether the declaration that Tianluxiang is toxic can be used as a reference in law enforcement in Shanghai. What's the city's position regarding Tianluxiang? Thanks.

Jiao Yang: The question about bird flu is broad. The media has reported our prevention and control of the disease, which is of direct concern to local citizens' health and lives. The government has maintained the high priority given to the issue and kept a close eye on the local situation so as to prevent any outbreak. The local Party commission and the government has paid great attention to bird flu prevention and control. Party Secretary Chen Liangyu held a special meeting to listen to the report on the situation and gave directives. Mayor Han Zheng also announced directives on several occasions. He assigned work at the standing meeting on Monday.

The seven measures taken are as follows. Firstly, to prefect the animal disease prevention and quarantine system. Secondly, intensify exit-entry oversight. Thirdly, intensify oversight on live poultry markets. Fourthly, intensify immunization. Fifthly, intensify supervision and control of targeted regions and people who are at high risk of being infected by bird flu. Sixthly, further intensify the construction of an emergency reaction system and perfect preparations for a fast response to sudden pandemics. Seventhly, intensify the publicizing of precautionary knowledge and precautionary and control measures.

Local health authorities have drafted a plan to prevent and cure infectious respiratory diseases in the spring and winter, focusing on flu, bird flu and Meningitis, and have set out to assign work on disease prevention. The local FDA (food and drug administration) and agriculture, health, economic and commercial and industrial administrations have separate duties. They scrupulously abide by these and have taken a series of initiatives to actively prevent the outbreak of bird flu. Under the umbrella leadership of the local Party commission and the government, we are implementing the policies and promoting our work processes. There has been no outbreak of bird flu here. The situation in Shanghai is under control, safe and orderly.

Based on the current situation in the city and our reserves of medical products, we'll adjust the reserves in terms of variety and quantity but will keep the total cash value of the reserve unchanged. We've added ready-made Chinese herbal medicines to the anti-bird flu drug list.

Currently, the scale of our local drug reserve is 20 million yuan, including a roughly 14 million yuan reserve of western drugs for emergency use, over 4 million yuan of Chinese drugs for emergency use and a roughly 1.5 million yuan reserve of medical equipment and supplementary equipment. Common western and Chinese drugs, to cure colds and for emergency use, are also in ample supply.

Shanghai's health department and observation stations of the disease control and prevention center are working in unison and keeping a close watch for a possible outbreak of bird flu in the city.  Government departments have required manufacturers and retailers to create stockpiles of flu drugs and to set up a temporary emergency medicine reserve if necessary. The reserve is normally enough to last for one to three months.  During the peak time for flu cases, government departments will also increase the temporary emergency reserve. The government will subsidize the enterprises concerned on the same basis as holds for the annual routine reserve.

Now let's come to the latest media report that the wild vegetable Tianlvxiang (Sauropus androgynus(L)Merr.) is available on the market as a food ingredient.  As stated by the relevant government departments, and according to national regulations, there is a standard on the maximum cadmium content in food. If a food exceeds the standard it will be banned from sale.  The city's food authority will abide by the laws and regulations in strictly supervising food products and will seize those that fail the standard.

Also, the authority reminds citizens that they should check food security standards when consuming wild vegetables and be cautious of those rare varieties that may pose dangers to health.  Don't eat, or eat as little as possible, wild vegetables whose safety remains unclear.

4. Shanghai Youth Daily:  There's a media report that Shanghai will levy a 20-percent tax on the secondary housing market.  Can you confirm it?

Jiao Yang: So far as I know, there's no change regarding the related policies.  For more details, you may consult the taxation authority.

5. National Business Daily: A rumour has circulated that Shanghai is considering lifting the ban on low-emission automobiles using the elevated expressways. Is it true, and if so when will the ban be lifted?

Jiao Yang: I'm unable to confirm your question, because I haven't been informed about it.  According to the PRC Road Traffic Security Law as well as normal practice in Shanghai, it's appropriate to enact traffic control measures on citizens which are to the benefit of the public as a whole.  With further improvement in road conditions, road networks and traffic, the policy may be changed and improved later at an appropriate time.

Shanghai is still studying ways to improve the relevant traffic policies so that they embody the priorities it places on public transport and clean energies as well as to encourage research, development and use of efficient, low-pollution and good-quality autos. Thanks!

6. Traffic Channel of Shanghai Radio:  Starting November 15, Guangzhou will charge an additional 1 yuan on taxi passengers as a fuel surcharge for each ride, while taxi drivers will receive 1,280-1,380 yuan in fuel subsidies every month.  The subsidy in Shanghai is 550 yuan.  My question is whether the Shanghai authorities have noticed the difference and will make any response.

Jiao Yang: I believe you must know that I said at last press conference, that Shanghai is studying an oil price  mechanism for taxies.  Currently, the work is moving forward with the goal being to establish a market-oriented price mechanism for oil products.  It will follow the principle that the three concerned parties of taxi companies, drivers and passengers will share the burden of rising fuel costs.

7. Dragon TV:  My question is what is the population density required for postal facilities, such as post offices, to be established?  How many years will it take to complete the planned postal network, and what will be the final number of postal facilities according to the plan? Thanks!

Gu Changhao:  For detailed figures, you may turn to Director Yang of Shanghai Post Bureau.

Liu Haisheng: I'd like to give you some background.  In fact, the post offices we are talking about now are of different types. One is the branch post office, which corresponds to the central postal facility of an area.  The other is the type that is usually built close to new residential areas.  So generally speaking, according to the plans, every residential area should possess one post office.
Why are most residents now complaining of difficulties in finding post offices in their neighborhoods? Post office construction followed detailed planning and regulation in the days of the planned economy, whereas now we're pursuing the market economy model.  Newly-built street-level units are usually taken-up by shops selling construction materials or by restaurants. On the other hand, barbershops are no longer seen as compelling facilities for new residential areas.
That's the reason why the government is becoming particularly concerned about public projects which offer little or no profitability, namely post offices and wet markets.  Relevant guidelines are now being drafted.  
As for your first question, I have to refer you to this book, as the indexes of availability of every type of sports facility or old peoples home and so on per thousand residents differ widely from place to place.  The population density of residential areas also varies, some having 20,000 residents, some 50,000, some even 200,000.

8. Shanghai Daily: It was recently reported that the fees for dog licenses will decrease, and that there will be some refinements to the application process.  Can you give us the details?

Jiao Yang: If there should be any, we will immediately publicize them.

9. China Daily: My question is for Director Liu Haisheng.  Some media reports state that the city is considering building a low-speed maglev line, connecting Expo Parks and the deep-water port in Yangshan. If it is true, what is the current status of the project. Thank you.

Liu Haisheng:  The procedures of urban planning do not only involve the planning and approval process, but need precise technical evaluations also.
There are some experts proposing the construction of a low-speed maglev line as you mentioned. However, at the moment it's just a proposal. Considerations such as technical feasibility, cost and return on investment will become apparent after further investigation.

10. Shanghai Financial News: As Director Liu Haisheng said, further appraisal and due process are required if a developer seeks to change the land-usage of an already-approved project.  Can you explain the process?
The first of the four development opportunities mentioned by municipal leaders is that the Pudong area is to become an experimental area under the comprehensive reforms. The second is the establishment of the Shanghai branch of the People's Bank of China.  So, what has this reform meant for Pudong?  And what supporting measures has the city administration taken with regard to the central bank?

Liu Haisheng: As I said just now, plans might see major changes between the drafting and implementation stages.  The rationale behind the process is more significant during this procedure rather than definitive stipulations of what is right or what is wrong.  Besides, adjustments to the plan, while they must adhere to the relevant laws, can and will be made once a problem is detected due to incomplete or erroneous conceptions. 
I am restating the above in order to present the three imperatives: provision of land for public facilities and for the city's infrastructure facilities, while having the control of the population in the city's central area in mind.
Shanghai is a vast metropolis with around 10 million people in its central area.  This number will rise sharply, provided that all the warehouses and factories within the Outer-Ring Road are transformed into residential use.  So space must be reserved for the city's public facilities.
As for legal procedures, different areas and different projects will follow their separate approval processes.  Projects in the small towns of the suburbs require the approval of the suburban-level government. Some master plans and macro-projects will need the approval of the urban planning bureau, of the municipality or even of the State Department.

Jiao Yang: The two events you mentioned are highly significant for Shanghai's advance towards being an international economic, financial, commercial and shipping hub, and also mark a turning point in the city's development in this area. They are important policy decisions made by the central government. The municipal government is working hard to cooperate fully with the Shanghai branch of the People's Bank of China by creating a friendly environment and atmosphere and providing it with opportunities and good services. The city is accelerating the pace of its reforms in Pudong District in accordance with the central government's requirements. Big news about the reforms will be made known to the public and the media without delay. For example, the new foreign exchange policy was reported in the media several days ago.

11. Xinmin Evening News: The city planning authority has pledged to ensure that sufficient land is available for public facilities and local infrastructure projects and to impose effective population control in urban districts. How will the department go about fulfilling its promises?

Liu Haisheng：We have taken two actions to achieve the goals. Firstly, a significant innovation was introduced to improve the city planning process. According to China's City Planning Law, the urban planning process of Shanghai includes three phases: a) a general master plan b) plans for each district c) plans for zoning within districts. Downtown Shanghai, which refers to the area within the outer ring road which covers over 630 square kilometers, is divided into six districts. Since the districts, each of which covers more than 100 square kilometers, are still too vast, we subdivide them into 242 zones. Detailed plans will be made for each zone. Since the functions and population of each zone are are of manageable scope, the new city planning method helps us with population control. Secondly, we adopted strict regulations. The document we released today stipulates that the land use of a plot already set by the city planning authority cannot be changed willy-nilly. It is not uncommon for some enterprises and schools to find various excuses for land use changes in spite of the planning regulations. Let me give you an example. Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine was located in Xuhui District. To the old way of thinking, it would be normal for the school to sell its old campus in order to finance its relocation. However, in order to ensure effective population control, land originally set aside for schools or public facilities is not suitable for residential projects and must serve its original purpose. Property for residential use is the easiest to sell and commands a higher price. Although such land use changes can boost government revenue, it is unwise when it comes to controlling population-density. The Shanghai Bureau of Urban Planning issued a document at the end of last year which stipulates strict control over such kinds of land use change.
 
                                                  
12. Channel NewsAsia (CNA): It is said that Shanghai Pharmaceutical Group Co. has made an approach to Swiss drug-maker Roche for permission to produce Tamiflu under license. Can you confirm the report? Will the government consider supporting local enterprises in copying the anti-viral drug and loosen the prohibition on patent infringement in the event of an emergency?

Jiao Yang: First, I'm not able to confirm that report. We haven't heard anything about it. Secondly, Shanghai has always been keen on protecting intellectual property rights. We encourage local institutions and enterprises to conduct scientific research on anti-viral drugs. The city is exploring ways to prevent and treat flu by using Chinese herbal medicine. The efforts of local institutions to accelerate their rate of scientific advance is backed by the municipal government.