These cities are located along the Bohai Bay rim and all six have access to considerable natural resources, have developed a sound industrial basis and possess efficient transport networks.
Authorities in the region have been urged to accelerate infrastructure construction in the transportation, energy, irrigation projects and information fields.
The plan aims to highlight the region’s function as northeast China’s access point to the sea and a vital economic gateway in its opening up process.
Liaoning’s provincial government initiated the "Five Points, One Line" development strategy in 2005 as part of the province’s 11th Five Year Plan (2006-10) and as an integral part of its bid to build a coastal economic belt as an commercial engine for the province.
People’s Daily Online said the "Five Points" refers to the areas of Changxing Island Harbor Industrial Zone in Dalian, the Yingkou Coastal Industrial Base, the Liaoxi Jinzhou Bay Coastal Economic Zone, the Dandong Industrial Zone and the Zhuanghe Huayuankou Industrial Zone in Dalian.
The "One Line" refers to a proposed expressway linking the coastal cities. This is seen as a key component in stimulating growth in the belt.