Tang Jun (second right), Party chief of Dalian, inspects a new materials company in the zone.

Everyone benefits

But, the ultimate development goal is to bring benefits to all the area's people so the administrators are focusing on education, healthcare, employment, and social security.

In 2010, spending on education jumped 121 percent, year-on-year and the zone has a top primary school at its core area that is the aggregate of 17 village schools. A new kindergarten that cost more than 10 million yuan will open soon and work has begun on a middle school that boards students this month.

And healthcare facilities have been improved by cooperating with the Dalian Friendship Hospital, to set up a new hospital that gives residents access to the best healthcare services.

Another administration priority has been employment. Senior zone officials have been told to encourage enterprises to hire more people so that all residents who are willing to work and have some basic skills can get a job.

Increased employment means more benefits. Statistics show that per-capita incomes have rose 55 percent in 2010, over the previous year.

In the area of social security, the zone became Dalian's first with a new rural social security program, in April, whereby all 9,699 of the people above 60 in rural areas get a monthly pension.

The administration has also increased spending on cultural and sports facilities, and organizing sports teams.