Liaoning Province has set goals to increase its GDP by 11 percent and FDI by 20 percent in 2010.

Officials from the northeastern province said on Friday that in 2010 they would continue to ensure the local economy would grow no slower than those of the rich eastern provinces and municipalities like Zhejiang and Shanghai.

Wang Min (L), Liaoning Party chief, talks to Chen Zhenggao (R), Liaoning governor, before the meeting.

At a meeting to discuss the central government work report by Premier Wen Jiabao at the annual Chinese parliamentary session, deputies of the Liaoning delegation expressed optimism and confidence for 2010 and vowed to lead the rest of the country in some aspects of economic development.

Liaoning's proposed GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate for 2010 is considerably higher than the national target of 8 percent which was set out in the Premier's report.

The province also announced other key economic targets for 2010; it aims to ensure its fixed assets investment will grow by 20 percent and the per capita disposable income for urban and rural residents will grow 10 percent and 8 percent respectively.

In their speeches, deputies pinned great hopes on the development of the province's "costal economic rim." On July 1 last year, the State Council, approved a major program to build integrated economic areas along the coast of Liaoning Province, including the cities of Yingkou, Dandong, Jinzhou, Panjin and Huludao, with Dalian as its center. Many preferential policies and resources have been promised for the implementation of the program.

Liaoning deputies to the Third Session of the 11th National People’s Congress discuss Premier Wen Jiabao’s government work report.

This year Liaoning will build or rebuild 59 ports and accelerate the development of the 38 industrial parks along the rim.

Chen Zhenggao, the provincial governor, said his province will strive to develop "new industries" including sophisticated equipments manufacturing, new energy, new material, new medicine, IT, environmental industry, oceanic industry, biotech and hi-tech services, to get rid of its "rust belt" reputation.

He said Liaoning would acquire a number of overseas hi-tech enterprises and research and development bodies as well seeking more overseas talents this year.

He also said the FDI (foreign direct investment) flowing into his province this year must hit US$1.8 billion and that the province's export would grow by 10 percent.

Deputies of Liaoning overwhelmingly agreed with the content of Premier Wen's report. But they also voiced concerns over the negative effect macro-control policies might have on the local economy.

"We understand and support the central government's policy to 'accelerate the transformation of the pattern of economic development, adjust and optimize the economic structure' but we sincerely hope the central government continue supporting us; our 'costal economic rim' program was just approved last year," said Dalian Party Secretary Xia Deren.

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