Zhejiang county getting ready for geospatial congress in Nov

Deqing, a scenic county in Zhejiang province, is going all out to be fully prepared for the upcoming United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress, slated to open from Nov 19 to 21.

So far, over 90 percent of the construction work for the facilitation of the congress, such as an international conference center and an exhibition hall, has been completed, the congress' organizing committee said on Friday. Saturday marks the 100-day countdown before the opening of the meeting.

"Currently, we are sparing no effort to ensure the international conference center－the main venue for the congress－be completed and pass the project check and acceptance before Aug 25," said Jiang Zuanwei an official with the local bureau of construction.

The hosting of the international meeting, another major global event after Hangzhou successfully hosted the G20 Summit in 2016, has also brought about a face-lift to the county, which boasts green bamboo forests and breathtaking natural views.

So far, more than 3,000 street lamps have been newly-installed or revamped, and over 600 roadside shops have had their facades redecorated, in a bid to offer a beautiful nightscape during the meeting.

"It's us locals that benefit the most, with Deqing's urban and natural environment improving by a big margin over the past six months," said Yang Lizheng a grocery store owner in Deqing.

The congress, hosted by the UN and organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Zhejiang provincial government, is a platform to discuss the newest development trends in surveying and mapping. It will also discuss the ways in which geographic information supports the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.