The department of natural resources of Shandong province and Tai'an government recently unveiled the plan for Tai'an urban-rural integrated development.

Based on the plan, Tai'an and Jinan will seek joint development while focusing on the key industries of sci-tech innovation, education and medical treatment, tourism service, sports and leisure.

Jinan, as the capital city of Shandong, enjoys geographical advantages for development. It is expected to become the pioneer in the construction of provincial capital metropolis group.

According to the plan, Shandong will integrate industrial development and cultural protection, and build areas for ecological protection, cultural development and other functions.

Besides, Jinan, Tai'an and Qufu will join together and build Chinese cultural pivot, centered on the Mount Tai.

Jinan, Tai'an and Qufu will join together and build Chinese cultural pivot, centered on the Mount Tai. [Photo/dzwww.com]

The pivot will highlight four mountains, four rivers, four cities and four ancient Chinese figures.

The four mountains refer to Lishan Mountain, Mount Tai, Yishan Mountain and Fushan Mountain. The four rivers include the Yellow River, the Jishui River, the Wenhe River and the Sishui River.

The four cities cover Jinan, Tai'an, Qufu and Zoucheng, while the four ancient Chinese figures consist of Shun - a legendary monarch in ancient China, Zhou Gong - a famous politician, militarist and thinker of the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC), Confucius - a Chinese political figure, and Mencius - an ancient Chinese thinker, educator and Confucian philosopher during the Warring States Period (475-221BC).

Furthermore, the Qingdao-Jinan corridor will be constructed to link the relationship of provincial capital city and coastal cities closer and promote the growth of new economy.

The plan has been posted on the websites of the provincial natural resources department and Tai'an government, seeking public suggestions and opinions from March 8 to 17.

White snow and glistening rime coat the ancient buildings of red walls and black tiles on top of Mount Tai, offering a wonderful view against the azure sky. [Photo by VCG/dzwww.com]