China's "New Area" programs gain momentum (2)

Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area is a pilot area for comprehensive urban-rural reform. Zhoushan Islands New Area in Zhejiang Province acts as a pioneer in developing China's vast maritime resources.

Besides the Pudong New Area established in 1992 and Binhai New Area in 1994, the other four new areas were established in the past two years.

Lanzhou New Area marks the country's latest effort to accelerate the development of its western regions and is key for China's further opening of its west, said Qin Yucai, an official in charge of the development of western regions under the National Reform and Development Commission.

Nansha New District in Guangzhou is expected to lead industrial restructuring in the Pearl River Delta and serve as an important platform for the cooperation between Guangdong province and neighboring Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, according to Ding Li, director of the Regional Competitiveness Research Center with the Guangdong Provincial Academy of Social Sciences.

In the long run, the development of the Nansha New District will provide experiences to China's economic reform, Ding said.