BIZCHINA / Investment Alerts
Shenbei New Area to spur development
By Wu Yong (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-11-24 08:38
SHENYANG: A new area to be built in the northern part of Shenyang is
expected to take a leading role in rehabilitating the once-hardy economy
of the Northeast China.
The State Council approved the development of Shenbei New Area on Tuesday.
Chen Zhenggao, secretary of Shenyang's Party Committee, said the new city
would return the rustbelt area of northeastern China to its former
strength.
"Shenbei New Area is meant to be another engine of growth both for
Shenyang and northeastern China as a whole," said Chen.
Shenbei will join Tianjin's Binhai New Area, Shanghai Pudong New Area and
Zhengzhou Zhengdong New Area in leading government efforts to encourage
development in the country's various regions.
The Northeast was for decades China's industrial heartland, though its
fortunes have waned in the age of liberalization.
The many State-owned enterprises that once dotted the area have fared
poorly in comparison with other booming regions along the country's coast.
Among Shenbei New Area's key tasks will be rebuilding this industrial
base, experimenting with reform and building up a new countryside, said
Li Xiangping, a researcher at the Liaoning Provincial Academy of Social
Sciences.
The former Shenyang Huishan Agricultural Development Zone will serve as
Shenbei New Area's core. It will also cover Xinchengzi Area, Shenyang
Hushitai Development Zone and Daoyi Development Zone.
The area will grow to cover more than 1,000 square kilometres.
"This is a significant step at a time when the central government is
working to rein in the country's development zones. Like Shenzhen, we
shoulder very important responsibilities in guiding reform and opening up
the country," said Wang Shiwei, secretary of Shenbei New Area's Party
Committee.
"Liaoning is at the heart of northeastern China. And Shenyang is the
central part of Liaoning Province. So this step is not just about the
future of Shenbei, but about the whole region."
Liaoning Province is responsible for half of northeastern China's gross
domestic product and leads the region in exports.
"We have already had a good start and are very confident about the area's
future," said Jian Biao, chief of Shenbei New Area.
Among the industrial sectors planned for the area are bio-pharmaceuticals
and logistics.
1 2
(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)
Chinese Mandarin
