SHANGHAI plans to build a giant multi-media experience center next year and to improve Internet-based services for local residents.

City officials made the remarks yesterday during the 2008 Shanghai International Digital Media Technology and Industry Development Forum.

The government in the forum launched the Shanghai Public Technology Service Platform for Animation and Cartoon to support the Chinese digital multi-media industry.

It has also vowed to apply advanced digital multi-media for the 2010 World Expo.

"We develop digital media technology to boost the city's economic development and to improve people's life," said Miao Wenjing, an official of information technology department of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission.

She said the city government has planned to build a multi-media experience center in Changning District as soon as next year, with its exhibition area of more than 3,000 square meters.

Meanwhile, the commission plans to lift the city's Internet data transfer capacity by more than 10 times, she added.