A BIGGER and better Jing'an District was created yesterday, as the former administrative region merged with its neighboring Zhabei District, the city government announced.

In a move approved by China's State Council, the expanded district, which is the first ever to span Suzhou Creek, will be an "engine for the city's long-term development," said Shanghai Party Secretary Han Zheng.

The decision to merge the two districts was part of the "ongoing development of society and the economy," he said.