China aims to make Dalian shipping center of NE Asia

China aims to make Dalian not only a major harbor along China's northeast coast but also a shipping center of Northeast Asia, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Saturday.
Harbor construction dominates development in Dalian. All projects under construction should be carefully designed and planned and become the first-class in the region, Wen said, who had just attended the Summer Davos meeting held here Thursday and Friday.

The Premier urged the city to take a scientific approach to development, make innovation in reforms, quicken the steps of structural readjustment and balance the economic development with environmental protection to turn Dalian into a well-developed, harmonious and ecologically beautiful city.

"Good environment is one of the reasons why Summer Davos was held here. Some 1,000 foreign participants could not only visit local enterprises but also enjoy the blue sky with white clouds and experience Dalian's efforts in energy-saving and sustainable development," he said.

While in Dalian, the premier visited local enterprises, schools, communities, Datyaowan bonded zone and the new harbor under construction. He listened carefully to the opinions of local officials and representatives of all social sectors in future development blueprint of Dalian and the northeast China.