The Jinan government's recent proposal for the establishment of a provincial-level economic development zone has been approved by the Shandong Provincial Government. The new zone, named the Shandong Lixia Economic Development Zone, will operate under the current policies for provincial economic development zones in Shandong.

The Shandong Lixia Economic Development Zone will be located in eastern Jinan and span a total planned area of 335.48 hectares, with two zones - Changlingshan Area and Xinghe Industrial Park.

The area will prioritize ecological conservation and green development, enhance regional innovation capacity, and accelerate the development of new quality productive forces, aiming become a model zone for the high-quality development of the real economy.

According to the Shandong Provincial Department of Commerce, Shandong is now home to 167 economic development zones above the provincial level, which are home to 47 percent of the province's industrial enterprises above designated size. Local authorities will give priority to supporting development zones in terms of fiscal policy, land security, talent introduction, and digital technology.