Pioneering spirit helps Jinpu New District boost its economy

At the forefront of the reform and opening-up policy in Dalian, Liaoning province, the Jinpu New District serves as a strategic site for cooperation in Northeast Asia and a growth engine that will help revitalize Northeast China, according to local officials.

The district, approved by the central government in 2014, is home to an export processing zone, national tourist resort, tariff -free zone and bonded port area.

Covering 2,299 square kilometers, the Jinpu New District is in the center of the Northeast Asian economic circle and off the coasts of South Korea and Japan, coupled with a solid development foundation and superior human resources.

From a local economic and technological zone to a national-level new area, the district's fast development is seen as arguably the epitome of China's advancement over a 40-year journey of reform and opening-up.

Currently, there are some 60,000 enterprises in the district, including more than 5,000 that are foreign-funded.

In 2017, the district achieved a GDP of 197.85 billion yuan ($29.19 billion), this accounted for 28.3 percent of Dalian's figure and 8.5 percent of Liaoning province's.

It is a pioneer for the transformation of old industrial bases, a demonstration of innovation, a leader in new-type urbanization and urban-rural development, as well as an international shipping center and logistics center in Northeast Asia.

Li Pengyu, director of the administrative committee of the Jinpu New District, said the area has benefited from the country's reform and opening-up policies.

"The Jinpu New District plays a key role in boosting the province's economic and social development as well.

"We'll take full advantage of the favorable policies as a national-level new area and pilot free trade zone, add new energy to the revitalization and development and build a new pattern of opening-up to the outside world," Li added.

The district aims to pioneer industrial structure upgrades as well as economic and social development based on its open policies, modern industrial clusters and standard management mechanisms. The Jinshitan National Tourism Resort, as a key part of the district, is trying hard to promote sustainable development and build itself into a world-class beach destination in Northeast Asia.