On the eve of its 30th birthday as China's first economic reform zone, Shenzhen received a lavish "coming out" gift from the central government.

The State Council, China's cabinet, on Wednesday decreed that the southern coastal city bordering the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is to become "a national economic center" and "a city of global clout" in exchanges of culture, economy and technology.

Its reclassification from "the central city in southern China" came in the State Council's reply to its urban development plan as the city prepared to mark its big anniversary on Thursday.

Its new status carries with it the role of the economic axis to drive the development of surrounding cities such as Guangzhou, Dongguan and Huizhou, as well as Jiangxi and Hunan provinces to its north.

Xu Chongguang, deputy director of the Shenzhen city planning and land resources commission, said the State Council has recognized Shenzhen's acknowledgement of its responsibilities.

"When we started to map out the plan in October 2006, we stressed the control and suppression of excessive urban expansion so as to explore a sustained and more effective way for China's urban development," said Xu.

The city is required to deepen its ties with Hong Kong, give priority to public and green transport, and become a sustainable and environment-friendly habitat complete with quality public services in education, healthcare, social security and housing for low-income families.

Wang Rong, secretary of the Shenzhen Committee of the Communist Party of China, said Shenzhen's soaring gross domestic product (GDP) - up from 196 million yuan ($29 million) in 1979 to 820 billion yuan last year - has spurred other cities to copy its model, known as "Shenzhen speed".