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BIZCHINA / Investment Alerts
Beilun - a dream beyond world-class port
By Ding Qi (chindaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-08-21 17:26
An overview of the Beilun Port in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province
[chinadaily.com.cn]
Of all the sea ports scattered along China's coastal area, only one is
never neglected due to its international significance, yet few know
anything more than its name.
"Beilun Port is known as the crown of China's ports. Once you get to know
it, you'll find the port as well as the surrounding both hugely
attractive," Li Yonghui, vice party secretary of Beilun district of
Ningbo, told journalists from ten major online media groups on Monday.
Located in the middle of the Chinese coastline and facing the vast
Pacific Ocean, Beilun Port hopes to use a unique geographic edge to
become world famous. Its 18.2-meter water front depth can provide access
for vessels of up to 250,000 tons fully loaded. And with the exception of
occasional interruptions from typhoons, the port can be operated over 350
days in a year, according to local officials.
The increasing international trade volume of China in recent years has
further lifted the port's status. "In 2006, Beilun Port handled a total
cargo throughput of 300 million tons, and has ranked second of all ports
in China for seven years in a row, and fourth place in the world. At
present, Beilun Port operates lines to more than 560 ports in over 90
countries and regions worldwide," Li pronounced the figures proudly.
However, people of Beilun did not settle for the success of the port
itself. Instead, they began to pursue another dream - integrating the
resources of the port to boost the economic development of the whole
Beilun District.
As early as 1984, the State Council approved the establishment of the
Ningbo Economic & Technical Development Zone (NETD) in the Beilun area as
one of 14 State-level development zones, inaugurating the opening up and
innovation of the region. In the past decade, three other State-level
development zones emerged in Beilun District, according to Li.
Combining the fast flow of raw materials from the port as well as talents
and technology introduced by the development zones, a sound relationship
between the port and the neighboring Beilun District is taking shape.
"Last year, gross domestic product (GDP) of Beilun District reached 47.6
billion yuan (US$6.3 billion), or US$7,656 per capita, making it the
richest area of Ningbo. In the first six months of this year, local GDP
increased by another 13.1 percent. Disposable income of local residents
rose almost 10 percent from a year earlier. Beilun District is becoming
an important state-level base for energy and raw material" Li said.
Is this the end of Beilun's development? Most people here shrug off the
suspicion.
One of the government's objectives is for Beilun District to stick to the
strategy of "enhance the district through the port" and strive to double
both the region's GDP and fiscal income by 2011. By accomplishing that,
Beilun Port, together with its surrounding area, will fortify its
strategic position in the Yangtze River Delta area, according to Li.
Will that dream come true? We have reason to wait with high hopes.
A night view of the Beilun Port?in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province
[chinadaily.com.cn]
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