 Lianyungang,
the east end of the New Eurasia Continental Landbridge, is one of the first 14 Chinese
coastal cities opening to the outside world, and is a rising centre of industry, foreign
trade and tourism in east China. This port is located in the center of the coast, linking
eastern sea routes with western land routes. Both Japan and the Republic of Korea in the
east can be reached economically and conveniently from Liangyungang, which is also part of the world-wide network of sea transport.
As well as this, the New Eurasia Continental Landbridge and the railway networks in
Western Europe continue by land, connecting Lianyungang with over 40 countries and regions
in Europe, South Asia and the Middle East.
Lianyungang
is situated between 118o24'
and 119o48' east longitude and 34o11'
and 35o07' north latitude. With four counties and four prefectures under its
jurisdiction, namely Donghai, Ganyu, Guanyun and Guannan counties and Lianyun, Yuntai,
Xinpu  and
Haizhou prefectures, Lianyungang covers an area of 7,444 km2 and has
a population of 4.65 million.
At present, the Chinese government has
clearly stated its intention to build an economic belt along the New Eurasia Continental
landbridge in “the 9th Five-Year Plan of National Economy and Social Development and the Long-range Goal for the Year
2010”; and on “China’s 21st Century Agenda”, Lianyungang is to be developed into an international seaport
linking countries on the Pacific rim with those in central Asia. In the “National Ocean Development Plan”it is listed as one of three special development zones.
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