Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission issued the implementation plan for the construction of Jinan starting area for the transformation of growth drivers. The starting area was established in April 2021 with the approval of the State Council, becoming the second in China after the Xiong’an New Area.
The scope of the high-profile starting area is clearly defined: the area is located in the north of Jinan city, starting from the boundary of Jinan and Dezhou in the west to Xiaoqing River and Baiyun Lake Wetland in the east, from the Yellow River and Jinan-Qingdao Expressway in the south to Tuhai River in the north, consists of 8 sub-districts of Taiping, Sungeng, Sangzidian, Daqiao, Cuizhai, Yaoqiang, Lingang and Gaoguanzhai as well as the middle and west part of Tangwang sub-district and the north of the Yellow River area in Luokou sub-district,covering an area of 798 square kilometers.
According to the plan, the starting area will be gradually constructed into a spatial layout of “one vertical, one horizontal, two cores and five clusters” . The “one vertical” refers to a landscape axis featuring local characteristics which is formed by the starting area and Jinan’s historical landmarks such as Daming Lake and Baotu Spring; the “one horizontal” refers to the Yellow River ecological landscape belt based on natural and ecological resources of the river system and forest land; the “two cores” will build the urban science and technology innovation zone and airport economic zone to accelerate the development of the starting area; the “five clusters” refers to the construction of the sub-center of Jinan city, Cuizhai High-tech Industry Cluster, Sangzidian High-end Manufacturing Industry Base, Sungeng Taiping Green Development Base and Airport Industry Cluster.
As of 2025, the comprehensive strength of the starting area will be increased significantly; the science and technology innovation capacity realizes breakthroughs; the annual average growth rate surpasses 10 percent in research and development expenditure; high and new technology industrial output value accounts for nearly 60% of the total industrial output above designated size; the cross-Yellow River transport will be more convenient and smooth; the framework of a new modern urban area will take shape; ecological environment improves significantly; the level of opening up and cooperation enhances constantly; the carrying capacity of economy and population reaches a new level; the living standards of the people improves remarkably.
By 2035, the construction of the starting area will realize significant achievements; the modern industrial system as well as a green, intelligent, liveable urban area will be basically formed; the ecological system will be stable and healthy, while the intensive and economic use of water resources will top China; the efficiency of energy use will be improved significantly; people’s sense of gain, happiness, and security will be dramatically enhanced to realize a modernization where human and nature are in harmonious coexistence.
The plan clarifies the major tasks of the construction of the starting area, including strengthening the development of new growth drivers, improving the supporting capacity of scientific and technological innovation, accelerating the development of strategic emerging industries and advanced manufacturing, cultivating and developing modern service industry, and fully exploring the modern value of the Yellow River Culture.
To ensure the smooth construction of the starting area, the plan also put forward a series of guarantee measures such as talent policy, land policy, investment and financing policy, project supporting and management mechanism. For example, the plan encourages to explore a more open and convenient mechanism for the introduction, service and management of overseas scientific and technological personnel.
