The State Council has approved a national territorial spatial plan for Dalian for the 2021-2035 period, according to an official reply issued on Nov 6.

As a modern coastal city and an international comprehensive transportation hub, Dalian holds significant importance as a major city in coastal areas.

According to the reply, by 2035, the total area of cultivated land in Dalian should be no less than 5.5099 million mu, of which the protection area for permanent basic farmland will be no less than 4.7902 million mu, and the red line area for ecological protection should not be less than 10560.65 square kilometers.

To support the new development pattern, Dalian should strengthen its role as the node for regional cooperation in Northeast Asia and enhance the coordination between Liaoning coastal economic belt and areas surrounding Bohai Rim in territorial space development, protection and utilization.

While accelerating the construction of an urban system with regional coordination and integrated urban and rural areas, the circular also called for efforts to promote the integrated development of ports, industries and the city of Jinpu New Area in Dalian and improve the comprehensive services functions of Lvshunkou District.

More measures will be taken to enhance the coordinated protection of terrestrial and marine ecosystems and improve water resource conservation functions of northern mountainous areas. In the meantime, systematic protection of rivers, river mouths, bays and offshore waters should be strengthened.

Dalian should also take more steps to expand space for modern urban agriculture, optimize the layout of agricultural production space of coastal plains, and guarantee the space needed to develop modern marine ranching.

The space needed for developing equipment manufacturing, marine shipbuilding, scientific and technological innovation should be prioritized, said the circular.

In addition, the protection of cultural and natural heritages such as Golden Pebble Beach should also be strengthened.