—— In March 2004, the overall planning of coastal development in Jiangsu Province was started.
From June 5th, 2006 to October, 2006 10, a joint research group led by Qian, former vice chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China Academy of Engineering, China Development Bank and Jiangsu Provincial Government organized more than 20 academicians and 200 experts to study the comprehensive development strategy of Jiangsu coastal areas, and planned to build a port-facing industrial base in Lianyungang New District. In April 2007, the provincial party committee and the provincial government held a conference on coastal development, and launched a new round of coastal development in an all-round way.
In early May, 2008, the State Council held an office meeting of the Prime Minister to study the development strategy of Jiangsu coastal areas. The National Development and Reform Commission took the lead in drafting the Development Plan of Jiangsu Coastal Areas, which was discussed and passed at the the State Council executive meeting on June, 2009. "Planning" regards Lianyungang as the leader of Jiangsu coastal development, and puts forward that relying on deep-water port resources, steel and petrochemical projects will be laid out in the south wing of Lianyungang to build a new coastal industrial base in Jiangsu.
On March 5th, 2009, Lianyungang Municipal Committee held a meeting of the Standing Committee to discuss the port issue and decided to build a new port in Xu Wei. The main port area of Lianyungang was built in 1933, which was built according to the blueprint of the oriental port described by Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
In August, 2008, Xu Wei New District Committee and relevant departments of the State Council formed a joint investigation team to conduct on-the-spot investigation in Jiangsu coastal areas, and organized and compiled the development plan of Jiangsu coastal areas. In June, 2009, the State Council deliberated and passed in principle, and it was officially approved for implementation in July, which marked that Jiangsu coastal development and opening up rose to a national strategy. The Development Plan of Jiangsu Coastal Areas clearly requires that the basic industries of heavy chemical industry, such as steel and petrochemical, should be laid out in Xu Wei New District to build a new coastal industrial base in Jiangsu.
On June 10, 2009, the executive meeting of the State Council adopted the Development Plan of Jiangsu Coastal Areas, which marked that the coastal development of Jiangsu led by Lianyungang entered the national strategic level. Faced with great historical opportunities, Lianyungang Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government sized up the situation, made decisive decisions, accelerated port development, and made every effort to promote the development and construction of Xu Wei New District. As an important part of Lianyungang's "one heart, three poles" urban layout, Xu Wei New District is an important carrier to expand the port's comprehensive service function and develop a new strategic growth pole.
The State Council clearly stated in the development plan of Jiangsu coastal areas that it is necessary to "support qualified provincial economic development zones and high-tech development zones to upgrade to national development zones". Jiangsu Province decided to upgrade Lianyungang High-tech Zone to a national high-tech zone, and Lianyungang City also made a major decision to fully promote the development of Xu Wei District, making Xu Wei District into three strategic goals: "East-West regional cooperation demonstration zone, circular economy demonstration zone and Jiangsu coastal new industrial base", and organized the establishment of Lianyungang High-tech Zone.