Established in 1992, the Zaozhuang Economic Development Zone was formerly known as the Zaozhuang Comprehensive Pilot Zone for Opening-up and Development. It was reviewed and confirmed by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Land and Resources, and approved by the People’s Government of Shandong Province as one of the first 46 provincial-level economic development zones designated under the province’s “zoning and clustering” strategy for the export-oriented economy. In 2002, it was renamed the Zaozhuang Economic Development Zone with the approval of the provincial government.Currently, the Development Zone has established a spatial planning layout of “one zone and four parks” and has formed a ten-sector industrial structure led by textiles and apparel, mechanical and electrical equipment, new building materials, and water treatment agents, supplemented by biopharmaceuticals, food and light industry, rubber and plastic products, and high-tech services.