A SENIOR state planner yesterday said the phenomenon of localities feverishly starting new development zones had become ''excessive'' and that it would lead to adverse effects on the economy.
Mr Gao Shangquan, a vice-chairman of the State Planning Commission, said the unhealthy development was a result of local authorities trying to introduce their own development zones.
''Local governments and departments would all like to see development zones developed and increased rapidly,'' he said.
''Not just the provinces are doing that now. Many counties and villages are trying to allocate areas for development zones.'' He said that this was ''excessive''.
Noting that it was normal for the economy to ''heat up'' in the process of the intensification of reforms, Mr Gao warned that the problems of an ''overheating economy'' should be closely monitored.
In addition to development zones, he said the property and stock markets also had shown signs of overheating.
The official called on the localities to abide by the rule of market mechanism in promoting development zones, stock markets and property markets.