Coastal renaissance vital for northeast Asian prosperity

The development of the coastal economic belt of Liaoning is of great importance for regional cooperation throughout Northeast Asia, according to a number of leading commentators. The comments come in the light of the State Council recently approving a plan to boost the development of the region's coastal area.

Commenting on the decision, Liu Bin, a professor at the Dalian Maritime University, said: "The timing of this announcement shows the central government hopes Liaoning will lead a degree of regional revitalization amid the current global economic slump."

In the wake of the economic slowdown, the Asia Pacific region has emerged as the most likely center for initial financial recovery. Within that region, Northeast Asia is tipped to be one of the most dynamic areas of growth, according to Li Jingyu a professor at the Liaoning Normal University.