A file photo of the official building of Wangcheng Economic and Technological Development Zone in Changsha, capital city of Central China’s Hunan Province, September 14, 2015. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Chen Xieyuan]

Officials in Hunan's capital, Changsha, have designated a core district in the city as the new engine of growth for the city, and the whole of the province.

Wangcheng District is already home to a growing pharmaceutical sector, as well as nonferrous metal processing, manufacturing and logistics.

Li Yanbo, the district's chief planner, says they expect more companies to begin gravitating to Wangcheng District under their new plans.

"Each of the four sub-districts north of the Xiang River has set a specific direction for development. They are competing and also cooperating with each other, ensuring a bright prospect for the city."

More than 300 companies from abroad have already set up branches in the district, with total output hitting 65 billion yuan last year.