简体中文
There is no doubt that Zhaoqing, a city in south China’s Guangdong Province, enjoys exceptional locational advantages. It is situated in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), which is one of the most densely urbanized regions in the world and the essential economic hub in China. Meanwhile, thanks to its geographical proximity to the southwestern region, Zhaoqing serves as the gateway to Southwest China.
Zhaoqing plays a remarkable role and has an important strategic status in the overall effort to connect the PRD, the mega metropolitan area and Southwest China, the region is abundant in natural resources. With the establishment of China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone and the implementation of “Belt and Road Initiative”, Zhaoqing has new historic opportunities.
Currently, making full use of Zhaoqing’s locational advantage and developing it into an essential gateway is quite a high priority. During the interview with Asia Pacific Daily, Chen Xudong, mayor of Zhaoqing shared his ideas and plans.
Chen Xudong, the mayor of Zhaoqing. Photo: APD
“We need to seize the historic opportunity for Zhaoqing’s further development,” said Chen, “I am firmly convinced that Zhaoqing’s locational advantages will make it more competitive and help the city scale a new stage.”
According to Chen, Zhaoqing is a vital city in the “Belt and Road Initiative”, owing to its transportation and logistic advantages. With the low land prices and government financial support, the city will attract investment from both home and abroad.
Zhaoqing also actively participates in the regional cooperation. Strong ties with cities like Guangzhou, Foshan and Zhuhai help Zhaoqing attain the goal of complementary strengths and create a win-win situation.
Meanwhile, Zhaoqing has thrived to become a growing manufacturing center. Over the past decades, Zhaoqing has transformed itself from a low value-added, labor-intensive manufacturing base to a sophisticated equipment-manufacturing zone, which provides a successful example of industrial transformation and upgrading. As Zhaoqing makes greater efforts to pool talents and professionals, the innovation capability has become its competitive edge.
To promote further development, Chen said Zhaoqing would invest 150 trillion yuan in transportation construction, with which Zhaoqing could have easy access to both inland provinces and world’s economies.
The upgrading of industrial arrangement and distribution is also put on the agenda. Advanced industrial clusters, such as new material, sophisticated equipment, bio pharmacy and electronic information, will be established, so as to promote self-innovation, economic growth and industrial transition.
It is noteworthy that Zhaoqing will also focus on the construction of ecological civilization. Environment protection is juxtaposed with the economic and industrial growth. Based on the idea of “people-oriented”, Zhaoqing will give an impetus to develop various social welfare programs, with which people’s wellbeing will be greatly improved.
(APD)
