In an effort to balance economic development across different regions of the city while boosting high-tech and service industries, Zhanjiang has launched the construction of new city centers, including the Haidong New District, the Nansan Island Coastal Tourism Pilot Zone and the Fenyong Economic Zone.

Lying on the eastern coast of the bay, Haidong New District is spearheading the economic rise of the eastern coast, which will enable the area to catch up with the current city centers, such as nearby Xiashan district.

Haidong is intended to act as an important gateway for cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and it will serve as a focal point for the development of the urban economy, said Xie Wu, deputy director of the preparation and construction office of the new district.