Shantou officially opened 1860. It is one of the earliest port cities along the coast of China, known as a "century-old commercial port" and its economy is extroverted. Eight countries, including the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, the Netherlands and Belgium, have set up consulates in Shantou. 198 1 year, with the approval of the State Council, set up a special economic zone in Longhu area of our city as a pilot. 1 983 65438+on February 22nd, the system of city governing counties was implemented, Shantou area was abolished,1city, and eight counties belonging to the original area were merged into Shantou city. 1984 1 1 With the approval of the State Council, Shantou Special Economic Zone has expanded to 52.6 square kilometers, divided into Longhu and Guang 'ao. 199 1 In April, the State Council approved the expansion of Shantou Special Economic Zone to the whole urban area of Shantou, covering an area of 234 square kilometers, and it was determined to be formally implemented in June 1 1. In June of the same year, 5438+065438+ 10, the administrative region of Chaoshan was adjusted, and Chaozhou and Jieyang were classified as prefecture-level cities.

In 2003, with the approval of the State Council, the administrative divisions of Shantou were greatly adjusted. Chaoyang and Chenghai were evacuated from the urban areas, and the original five urban areas were adjusted and merged into three areas, of which Hepu and Dahao merged into Haojiang District. Shengping and Jinyuan merged into jinping district; Longhu district is reserved, and Waisha Town and Xinxi Town, which originally belonged to Chenghai City, are included in longhu district; Chenghai City withdrew from the city and set up a district; Chaoyang City is divided into Chaoyang District and Chaonan District. After the adjustment, the urban area expanded from the original 3 10 square kilometer to 1956 square kilometer, and the urban population increased from the original1200,000 to 4.875 million. With the approval of the State Council, the scope of Shantou Special Economic Zone was extended to the whole city of Shantou on May 1 1, that is, the administrative divisions of Shantou since 2003, including longhu district, jinping district, Haojiang District, Chaoyang District, Chaonan District, Chenghai District and Nan 'ao County. 2065438+In September 2004, the State Council officially approved the establishment of an overseas Chinese economic and cultural cooperation experimental zone in Shantou Special Economic Zone.