The Shanting Economic Development Zone is a modern economic development zone approved by the Zaozhuang Municipal People’s Government in 2000 and planned and constructed following approval by the provincial government. Located in the western part of the urban area, it has a planned area of 20 square kilometers, with a built-up area of 5.5 square kilometers. Since 2003, it has been named one of Zaozhuang’s “Top Ten Economic Zones” for three consecutive years, and in March 2006, it was approved as a provincial-level economic development zone.