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.
Following the State Council's approval of 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 an engine of growth both for
Shenyang and northeastern China as a whole," said Chen.
Shenbei will join New Areas in Tianjin, Shanghai Pudong and Zhengzhou Zhengdong in
leading government efforts to foster development in the country's
various regions.
The northeast was for decades China's industrial heartland,
though its fortunes waned in the age of liberalization.
The many state-owned enterprises that once dotted the area have
survived poorly in comparison with other booming coastal
regions.
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 although it will also cover
Xinchengzi Area, Shenyang Hushitai Development Zone and Daoyi
Development Zone. The area is expected to cover more than 1,000
square kilometers.
"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 GDP 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. Furthermore, work is expected to
persevere in the efforts of the Shenyang Huishan Agricultural
Development Zone by emphasizing agriculture.
A source at the Shenyang statistics Bureau said Huishan is
already home to several major grain-processing and feed centers for
the dairy industry. Leading dairy companies like Meng Niu and the
Yili Dairy Group operate plants there.
Shenbei government documents show that the nation's top grain
processor, China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Import and
Export Corp, is planning to invest 1.7 billion yuan (US$212.5
million) in a large-scale corn-processing plant.
"This area enjoys rich grain resources, good transportation and
complete infrastructure. I could think of no better place to do
business," said Dang Zhentai, a manager of the Wanshunda Group,
which recently set up its own 1.2 billion-yuan (US$150-million)
corn-processing plant.
In addition, over 300 international companies, including Coco
Cola, Pepsi and Uni-President, have set up processing plants in the
area. Vigorous growth should ensue since about 30 of the world's
top 500 enterprises have opened branches in the area and have
invested in more than 50 projects.
(China Daily November 24, 2006)