China will accelerate the development of the Binhai New Area (BNA) in the port city of Tianjin to facilitate economic growth in the Bohai-rim region and east China, said Premier Wen Jiabao Wednesday.

At an executive meeting of the State Council, China's cabinet, Premier Wen said the BNA, after more than decade-long development and construction, has laid down a solid basis for further growth.

Efforts should be devoted to transforming the area into a modern manufacturing and research and development base, international shipping and logistics center in north China, he said.

With an area of 2,270 square kilometers and a population of 1.4 million, the BNA is regarded as a growth engine for North China and widely expected to match the economic miracle achieved by Shanghai's Pudong New Area, whose land area covers 533.44 square kilometers and is inhabited by 2.8 million people.

The BNA is home to Tianjin Port, the Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Zone, the bonded zone and the administrative districts of Tanggu, Hangu and Dagang, and its coastline stretches 153 kilometers.

Government statistics show that at least 70 of the world's top 500 companies have established a foothold in the area and poured in US$26 million over the past decade.

Wen urged the local government to watch over issues such as rational use of land, environmental protection, technological innovation and the development of hi-tech industries in further developing the area.

The meeting of the State Council also deliberated and adopted proposals on improving fire fighting work and management regulations on explosives for civil use, pledging to invest more in ensuring public safety against fire accidents and heavier penalties to practices in violation of the explosives management regulations.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2006)