Nestled between Shenyang and Anshan, the medium-sized city of Liaoyang in northeastern Liaoning province had been overshadowed by its neighboring industrial powerhouses.
Yet in recent years the before little-known city has attracted attention for its rapid economic growth that saw major indicators double every five years. The city's per capita GDP reached $3,800 in 2007.
To ensure continued development, local authorities have mapped out a long-term strategy that includes a new 80-sq-km eco-friendly urban zone east of the Taizi River.
"We will complete the project in three stages over 10 years," said Han Chunjun, vice-mayor of the city.
The new zone will have sections for administration, commerce, residential blocks, international schools, an industrial park and a conference and exhibition center, according to the city plan.
With rivers running through it, the new zone will have an attractive natural environment.
Local authorities said they are placing a high value on environmental preservation in the zone from the very beginning of planning and have decided to develop eco-friendly service industries as a driving force of its economy.
The project will play a key role in further engaging Liaoyang into the province's central city cluster on the rim of Shenyang, Han noted.
Nine new bridges in the new zone and a light rail line linking Shenyang and Liaoyang are part of the development.
Local authorities now are acquiring investment to fund the zone.
Advantageous industry
In addition to ramping up to build the new urban industrial center, the city government is also making aggressive efforts to build a production base for aromatic hydrocarbons and chemical fibers.
The planned 20-sq-km center will have sections for petrochemicals, fine chemicals and chemical materials.
Capitalizing on the central government's preferential policies for traditional industrial centers in northeastern China, local authorities plan to consolidate the city's strength in chemical fibers.
By the end of the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10), 20 billion yuan is expected to pour into the center, generating 60 billion yuan in production value.
The authorities' goal is to attract at least eight provincial-level and above research institutes and 10 companies each with more than 1 billion yuan in sales.
Four projects with a combined investment value of 3 billion yuan have already started construction in the first phase of the center.
Source: China Daily
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