The Hangzhou government announced new health, transportation and other initiatives to bring substantial benefits to local residents.

It said the city will buy 1,000 hybrid taxies this year. Half of them will be put into service by the end of June and the rest will join the fleet by the end of the year. The Hangzhou Transport Bureau is responsible for the task.

The city will shut down or relocate 20 polluting factories that are in the vicinity of protected water sources this year. Ten will be closed or relocated by August.

The city will add 6,000 beds in old-age nursing homes, with 1,200 added before April, 3,000 before July and the rest before the yearÕs end.

The Hangzhou Bureau of Culture, Radio, TV, Film, Press and Publication will establish 10 self-service mini-libraries before November with five put in use before June.

The city will also make sure that 90 percent of school sports grounds are open to the public this year and will inform the public via media before October.

The city government also will evaluate the result of its initiatives, the officials said.