China will accelerate the development of the Binhai New Area
(BNA) in the port city of Tianjin to facilitate economic growth in
the Bohai-rim region and east China, said Premier Wen
Jiabao?Wednesday.
At an executive meeting of the State Council, China's cabinet,
Premier Wen said the BNA, after more than decade-long development
and construction, has laid down a solid basis for further
growth.
Efforts should be devoted to transforming the area into a modern
manufacturing and research and development base, international
shipping and logistics center in north China, he said.
With an area of 2,270 square kilometers and a population of 1.4
million, the BNA is regarded as a growth engine for north China and
widely expected to match the economic miracle achieved by
Shanghai's Pudong New Area, whose land area covers 533.44 square
kilometers and is inhabited by 2.8 million people.
The BNA is home to Tianjin Port, the Tianjin Economic and
Technological Development Zone, the bonded zone and the
administrative districts of Tanggu, Hangu and Dagang, and its
coastline stretches 153 kilometers.
Government statistics show that at least 70 of the world's top
500 companies have established a foothold in the area and poured in
US$26 million over the past decade.
Wen urged the local government to watch over issues such as
rational use of land, environmental protection, technological
innovation and the development of hi-tech industries in further
developing the area.
The meeting of the State Council also deliberated and adopted
proposals on improving fire fighting work and management
regulations on explosives for civil use, pledging to invest more in
ensuring public safety against fire accidents and heavier penalties
to practices in violation of the explosives management
regulations.
(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2006)