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 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
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 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.
The area is also expected to continue the work of the Shenyang
Huishan Agricultural Development Zone by emphasising
agriculture.
A source at the Shenyang statistics Bureau said Huishan is
already home to several major grain-processing and feed centres 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 there.
"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, more than 300 international companies, including
Coco Cola, Pepsi and Uni-President, have set up processing plants
in the area.
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)