City clusters set to spur economic growth

A province-wide move toward greater urbanization has been one of the key by-products of rapid economic development throughout Shandong. The eastern coastal province, one of the most prosperous in China, has now embraced the process and identified it as a key part of its growth strategy.

According to Jiang Daming, governor of the province, several city clusters are cohering within the province, driven by geographic proximity and economic compatibility.

Jiang said: "The city clusters that are now emerging in Shandong are coalescing around eight different cities - Jinan, Qingdao, Yantai, Zibo, Weihai, Weifang, Dongying, and Rizhao."