Beijing will invest 85.1 billion yuan (US$10.8 billion) to improve its public service facilities in the next five years, said a municipal government report.

The money will be used to improve compulsory education, cultural and sports facilities in communities, rural medicare and sanitation, according to a public service development plan for 2006-2010 issued by the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission on Tuesday.

The municipal government will invest 30.4 billion yuan (US$3.8 billion) and the other 54.7 billion yuan (US$6.9 billion) will come from social funds, the plan said.

The capital city also planned to spend 200 billion yuan (US$25.3 billion) on construction of expressways, rail lines and intelligent transport systems over the next five years.

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2006)