Seven-city cluster to aid growth

As a new city cluster forms around Jinan, the capital city of Shandong province, local authorities expect faster development by effectively using nearby resources.

"As the province's political and economic hub, Jinan will make full use of its advantages in location, talent and business ambience to further improve competitiveness and drive economic growth of cities around it," Yang Luyu, the city's mayor, told China Daily.

Last August, the Shandong provincial government began to implement a regional development strategy that calls for integration of Jinan and six neighboring cities - Laiwu, Zibo, Tai'an, Dezhou, Binzhou and Liaocheng.