??? CONSTRUCTION on the West Coast Economic New Zone is accelerating this year. ??? After the ecological index system for the Sino-German Ecological Park and plans for the energy industry were announced, key areas of the second phase of the Qingdao Bonded Harbor Area, covering about 2 square kilometers, also picked up operations recently. Meanwhile, an administrative management system for the new zone was implemented and preparations such as urban planning, construction of key areas, infrastructure and project introductions are going smoothly. ??? A creative super-ministry reform was introduced to the zone in January. Unlike traditional administrative management, the new system is more simple, unified and efficient. A classified management model has been introduced and a reporting system for land use, industrial arrangement and key projects has also been set up to promote the area’s rapid development. ??? At present, the area’s overall development plan is finished and the ecological system will be formed in August. Business introductions have been launched in the Central Business District and planning of Dongjiakou Harbor City is ongoing. Plans for other areas, such as the Xiaozhushan ecological industry development zone, international economic collaboration zone and bonded harbor zone, are under discussion. ??? Construction in the key area, covering 28 square kilometers, has already started. Among these, construction in the Central Business District, covering 17 square kilometers, started in April. Infrastructure construction with total investment of 600 million yuan (US$95 million) will be finished this year at the Sino-German Ecological Park. ??? Ten key projects with total investment of 90 billion yuan have been introduced to the area, while 10 key infrastructure projects with total investment of 14 billion yuan, including the Dongjiakou evacuation highway, will be launched soon. Building construction, such as government-subsidized housing, technology and information service organizations and commercial towers, will also start this year. Other new international industrial parks are set to be promoted. ??? A new human resource system will be built to attract high-end domestic and international professionals and a university technological park is being planned. (Wang Yuanyuan, Wang Jiangwei) | 