30 in 30 - 1993: Driving the expressway to prosperity

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-04-2008 09:20

In the early 1990s, huge sums of money were being poured into building infrastructure. Many expressways were built, linking inland areas and coastal cities.

Many experts believe improving transport links is the first  step in economic development, and slogans encouraging road  construction were visible everywhere.

In 1993, people did not think about whether they should make money, but rather how to do make money.

Investment and trade brought prosperity to China's coastal areas, while inland areas were striving to catch up.

Many experts believe improving transport links is the first step in economic development, and slogans encouraging road construction were visible everywhere.

On December 18th, 1993 the country's third expressway officially opened in Shandong province linking the provincial capital Jinan and the port city Qingdao.

People marveled at the smoothness of the road and the cars' speed. They felt the expressway had brought them into a new modern era.

Travelling between the two cities no longer took a whole day. Four hours was enough.

35 economic zones sprung up along the expressway, making Shandong the fastest growing province.

GDP ballooned, as the expressway made transport between inland areas and ports easier.

In 1993, Qingdao port's handling capacity was only 300,000 tons a year. By 2008, this figure had increased nearly 30 times.

Editor:Zhang Ning