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Zhanjiang will prioritize ecological environment protection in future development, and speed up industrial and urban transformation to make Zhanjiang an innovative city. In an interview with Southern Metropolis Daily in Beijing on March 10, Zhanjiang mayor Wang Zhongbing said that Zhanjiang will accelerate economic "structural optimization" and "power conversion" to drive economic development by innovation and investment and forge a modern industrial system.
2. Zhanjiang sets southern 'maritime valley' construction timetable Zhanjiang government has set a specific timetable for constructing the southern "maritime valley", as all departments are motivated to push forward the construction. The government held a work meeting on constructing the southern "maritime valley" recently, during which Zhanjiang mayor Wang Zhongbing called on all sides to pitch in.
3. Zhanjiang embraces low-carbon transportation Zhanjiang has made great progress in promoting low-carbon ways to travel since the government put forward the concept of building a "footprint city" that prioritize pedestrians and public transportation on the roads, as an increasing number of residents choose bikes or buses instead of cars for commuting. The city plans to open 15 new bus routes this year, an increase of 27 percent from last year, to improve the public transit network.
4. Zhanjiang plans Haidong as new business heart for city Zhanjiang plans to make Haidong New District the new business heart of the city, taking a role similar to that of Pudong New Area in Shanghai. Local officials said it is necessary for a city to develop its rural areas when the city proper is saturated with residents and industries. There are too many examples to enumerate in the fast-developing China, such as Shanghai's Pudong New Area and Tianjin's Binhai New Area.
5. Zhanjiang seeks opportunities on back of Belt and Road Initiative "Zhanjiang will seize the historical opportunity and take responsibility as the city has been considered one of the strategic pivots in implementing China's Belt and Road Initiative," Liu Xiaohua, Party secretary of Zhanjiang, said. Liu made the statement when participating in a documentary called Zhanjiang Blue, filmed by China Daily.
6. Zhanjiang speeds up development Zhanjiang, a coastal city in the southwest of Guangdong province, is speeding up efforts to shift from an agriculture-based economy into one driven by clusters of major industries, such as shipbuilding, petrochemicals and steelmaking. Liu Xiaohua, Party chief of the city, said that Zhanjiang, known as the city of shrimps, has already rolled out measures and preferential policies to attract large State-owned enterprises to develop operations in the city.
Zhanjiang Port is working to become one of the top distribution centers of iron ore in China through expansion of its throughput capacity and deals with Brazilian mining giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce. Zhanjiang Port Group said it has already signed a memorandum of understanding with Vale to establish a distribution hub for the company that would lead to an increase in imports from the raw material supplier at the port. Financial details of the deal were unavailable at press time.
8. Zhanjiang at forefront of tourism push Zhanjiang authorities are to encourage the development of yachting and cruise travel facilities as part of efforts to spur tourism in line with the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Situated at the southernmost tip of the Chinese mainland, Zhanjiang is one of the pivot cities and its port listed as one to be strengthened in the 21st Centaury Maritime Silk Road strategy.
9. Zhanjiang maps out future blueprint Zhanjiang, in Guangdong province, is striving to make the best use of its urban spaces as a top priority to embrace the urbanization drive. The city held a meeting on urban expansion and improvements in its "big city" landscape on Sept 7, during which Mayor Wang Zhongbing said urbanization has become a pressing issue for Zhanjiang, in light of China's push for a new-type urbanization. 
10. Steel plant will boost island incomes: mayor Zhanjiang Mayor Wang Zhongbing views the construction of the Baosteel Zhanjiang Steel plant, whose first phase goes into operation on Sept 25, as not only a major economic driver for the city but a source of increased personal income for residents of Donghai Island. Donghai Island, where the Baosteel plant is located, formerly produced primarily agricultural products, Wang said, but 2,400 farmers from the island have been trained to work at the plant.
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