Source: China Daily

12-03-2008 18:53

By Liu Ce (China Daily)

From a role-model of the planned economy to a rising market force, Liaoning province in northeast China, cited the eldest brother of New China, has made history in reform and opening over the past 30 years. People enjoy a richer life, enterprises yield more value and the natural environment is improving.

New electricity, transport and energy systems are powering up  industries in Fushun, Liaoning province. [China Daily]

In 1978, the net annual income of Liaoning farmers was 185.2 yuan ($27.1). Last year it reached 4,773 yuan. In 1979, the gross domestic product of Liaoning was 24.5 billion yuan. Last year, it exceeded 1 trillion yuan.

Local people divide the decades in three periods.

The first, from 1979 to 1987, marked the kick-start of opening to the outside world. The province started to use overseas capital in 1979 and set up its first joint venture in 1983. In 1984, Dalian was chosen as one of the country's 14 coastal cities open to overseas investors. Two years later the province opened the Liaoning peninsula to the market economy.

The eventual full opening of the peninsula was realized in 1988, when the State Council affirmed eight cities and 17 counties and districts were open to the world.

In the second phase of reform until 2005, the Liaoning economy started to take off through the rise of three city clusters - the coastal cities headed by Dalian, central cities centering around Shenyang and western cities led by Jinzhou.

A third phase began in 2006, when the Dayao Bay Bonded Port Area was established in Dalian. The provincial government launched its 11th five-year plan and was determined to focus on five areas of development: Changxing Island in Dalian, coastal industrial bases in Yingkou, Jinzhou Bay in western Liaoning, port-related industries in Dandong, and Huayuankou industrial park in Zhuanghe. In 2007, central cities and areas were grouped under a new name: Shenyang Economic Zone.

Over the decades, the province has made progress in a range of economic and social aspects thanks to the reform and opening policies: