Authority aims for modern livable metropolis

 The Zhanjiang city government has announced plans to build itself into what it calls a "modern livable coastal city" during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), by "upgrading the city's development in an all-around way".

Urban construction reflects a city's image and should take advantage of economic strength, said Zheng Renhao, Party secretary of Zhanjiang.

"We should focus on building the city into an economic powerhouse in Guangdong province and enhancing development in line with the top-class standards of coastal cities in the country such as Xiamen and Qingdao," Zheng said.

In the next five years, Zhanjiang will continue to optimize its urban layout, improve its city construction and promote its governance, the official said.

According to Zheng, Zhanjiang will build more high-level city service platforms and landmarks to promote the function of its downtown while also renovating old areas.

"It is fundamental for us to build a modern and livable coastal city to provide residents with a more convenient and comfortable life," Zheng said.

Apart from optimizing infrastructure, the city will also build 5G networks and an intelligent transportation system. The local authority will also ramp up efforts in building Zhanjiang into a critical junction city to better serve national strategies, such as the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port and China's new western land-sea corridor.

The city will upgrade its transportation network to become a comprehensive transportation hub in the country, Zheng said.

Efforts will be put into finishing a waterway with a load capacity of 400,000 twenty-foot equivalent units as scheduled at Zhanjiang Port and constructing the Guangzhou-Zhanjiang high-speed railway.

Zhanjiang will also develop more industrial clusters involved in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, coastal tourism and modern agriculture. Infrastructure will also be upgraded in terms of telecommunication, supply of power, water and gas, and pollution control.

To attract more investment and businesses, the city government said it will improve the business environment by optimizing project services.

"We are constantly pushing reform, opening-up, and innovation," Zheng said.

Zhanjiang will also continue to implement reforms in its administrative services and business environment. Moreover, the city will utilize the advantages of its comprehensive experimental zone for cross-border e-commerce, the comprehensive bonded area and international events.

An aerial view of Zhanjiang shows the city's livable environment. CHINA DAILY

The Zhanjiang international airport is expected to be completed in 2021. CHINA DAILY