(Xinhua)China's vice premier Zeng Peiyan onTuesday called for accelerating the development of Binhai new areain Tianjin, a leading port city in north China.

"Development of Binhai new area is a task of strategic importance in China's overall economic and social development. Itsdevelopment will promote the growth of Beijing and Tianjin municipalities, Hebei Province and areas around the Bohai Sea, " Zeng said at a meeting on promoting the zone's development, organized by the State Council, China's cabinet.

The Binhai new area should be turned into an open gateway to China's northern region, a modern manufacturing and research base and an international shipping and logistic center in north China, he said. The Binhai new area should give priority to the development of manufacturing industry, hi-tech development and service trade. It should stick to innovation in scientific and technological development and aim to make a breakthrough in key research areas and key technology, he said.

The new area should also follow the policy of sustainable development so as to make it an energy-saving and environment-friendly area.