Shenyang Economic & Technological Development Zone, Shenyang city, Liaoning province [Photo provided to China Daily]

The city of Shenyang, Liaoning province, got its first development zone — the Shenyang Economic & Technological Development Zone -- in 1993, with State approval. In the two decades since then, that zone has become a national one along with the Shenyang Huishan Economic & Technological Development Zone, and the city has added nine provincial economic development zones -- Shenyang-European Union, Shenyang Hunhe, Shenyang Daoyi, Shenyang Xuesong, Liaoning Faku, Liaoning Kangping, Liaoning Xinmin, Shenyang Jinhai, and Shenyang Finance and Trade -- and one municipal economic development zone, the Shenbei New Area.

With their flexible system, excellent service, and resources, these development zones have attracted leading industries across seven strategic emerging industries such as advanced equipment and aviation, as well as other advantageous industries such as autos and auto parts and modern building. In 2013, the eleven economic development zones at or above the provincial level had a gross regional product of 261.2 billion yuan ($42.5 billion), accounting for 36.49 percent of the city's total for the period; with revenues of 33.38 billion yuan, for 41.67 percent of the total; fixed assets investment of 177 billion yuan, for 27.73, foreign investment $2,082 million at 35.83 percent; and total exports of $3.03 billion, 43.39 percent.

The development zones play an important role in the economic and social growth of the whole city, its industrial upgrades, innovation, and export-oriented economy. So, Shenyang has industrial parks with complete infrastructure and promising prospects.

These development zones are an important part of Shenyang's development so, the municipal foreign trade and economic cooperation bureau, which oversees the work of the development zones, will improve its guidance, promote their systematic, standardized development, make full use of conferences, provide better services, and organize industrial transfers and projects to give impetus to zone transformations and scientific development.