Shandong has an ambitious development plan for the next five years that emphasizes overall economic strength and the well-being of the people, according to the governor.

Jiang Daming told a session of the 11th Provincial People's Congress that total output in five years will be increased to 6 trillion yuan ($913.7 billion) and revenues to above 500 billion yuan.

In addition, the per capita income of urbanites will reach 30,000 yuan and income of rural people, 10,000 yuan.

The province will work to maintain steady economic development, by increasing domestic demand and balancing consumer demand, investments, and exports.

It has a goal of 9 percent average annual GDP growth, 14 percent revenue growth, and stability in pricing.

The government wants to increase the employment rate, give everyone equal job opportunities, add 5 million more urban jobs, and deal with its surplus of 6 million laborers in rural areas.

It also says it will narrow the wealth gap by letting incomes rise with economic growth, with a 10-percent annual increase for both urban and rural folk, while finding a more reasonable income distribution system,

"We will try to improve people's lives and their social security by building more low-income housing, reforming the health-care system, and increasing public services," said Jiang.

Education at every level, technology, and culture are expected to play a more significant role in social and economic development. This includes non-government funded education, to bring up the general education level.

The province will try to increase independent innovation and research and development in strategic industries. By 2015, spending on research and development is expected to account for 2.2 percent of GDP.

Shandong has cultural resources but needs culture industry reforms and better public culture services. These services need to cover both urban and rural areas so the culture sector will see its added-value output quadruple in the coming five years.

The governor said they will work for balanced regional and urban and rural development: "We will actively and prudently move forward with urbanization and building a new, socialized countryside. There will be urban-rural integration in public services and infrastructures."

Jiang said that, by 2015, the province's urbanization will be more than 55 percent and that the new countryside will lead the nation.

Two pilot zones have received State Council approval: the Shandong Peninsula maritime economic zone and the Yellow River Delta economic zone. These will get top priority to drive the province's economic growth, with the maritime economy projected to account for 23 percent of its GDP.

Economic clusters in southern Shandong will grow accordingly, including the cities of Rizhao, Linyi, Zaozhuang, Jining and Heze.

Energy conservation, environmental protection and ecological balance will not be left out. A low-carbon, circular economy is being promoted, with the idea of cutting energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP, and increasing the forest coverage to 25 percent.

Shandong wants to cooperate and compete more actively in the international economy and is looking for a 10-percent average annual growth in its foreign trade, and 9 percent increase in foreign capital use.

By Wang Qian and Ju Chuanjiang (China Daily)

(China Daily 03/09/2011 page24)