Representatives from 54 economic and technological development zones participated in the Forth Annual Conference for Population and Social Development in China's Development Zones from Sept 19 to 20 in Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone (QETDZ).

"The managements of 128 emerging national and more than 1,500 provincial economic and technological development zones in the nation are facing new challenges," said Huang Taihe, deputy secretary general of the China Association of Development Zones.

"More businessmen now pay attention on these zones due to their rapid economic development and social transformation. New topics related to economic zones like industrial relations, public security and family planning are emerging," said Huang.

Opinions on the rapid socio-economic development and social transformation were discussed at the conference.

The QETDZ was approved as a national development zone in October 1984. Situated on the west bank of Jiaozhou Bay with a population of 800,000, the zone is about 24 kilometers away from the city center. Qianwan Port, part of the world’s seventh largest port, is also based in the zone

Industrial framework of electronics, household electric appliances, building materials, petrochemicals, machinery and pharmaceuticals has been shaped by QETDZ. The zone is divided into several functional areas, including an administration and business center, an international trading area, a warehousing and processing industry area, a heavy and chemical industrial area, a harbor-related industrial park and a high-efficiency agricultural park.

By Li Xiaoqian (China Daily Qingdao Bureau)