ONE GATEWAY, ONE HIGHLAND AND TWO CENTERS

The Chengdu Economic Daily recently reported that at the 42nd Press Conference of the Chengdu Municipal Government, Deputy Director of the Chengdu Development Reform Commission, Liu Xingjun, outlined his primary strategy in relation to China’s One Belt One Road and the Yangtze River Economic Belt Development and we summarise the main points and provided added commentary.

Mr Liu Xingjun stated, “This involved developing its core capabilities as a “national gateway and domestic open highland”, and to promote it as the ‘economic’ and ‘creative’ Centre of Western China.”  

Thereby, to accomplish this strategy the Chengdu Government will be undertaking four primary initiatives, namely coordinating infrastructure development, amplifying openness and cooperation in relation to internationalization, encouraging public innovation and entrepreneurship.  

The Government also outlined its vision for direct flights to the five continents; Europe, America, Australia, Africa and Asia. Furthermore, Chengdu to further cement itself as an international air hub, it will focus on the countries and regions within the ‘One Belt One Road’ highways.  

The Government also stated that by 2020 it aims to improve transportation networks to the major Tier 2 cities within Western China such as Xian, Kunming, Guiyang, Lanzhou, Wuhan and also its connections to the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta. 

Additionally, to foster its international footprint, and promote cultural and educational exchanges, Chengdu is planning to develop a Consulate District, to attract more foreign consulates and encourage international industry associations to develop their representative offices in Chengdu. 

Finally, to promote advanced manufacturing industries, the Government will be encouraging innovation technology processes, modern biology, advanced pharmaceuticals and new energy/materials production”, end article.

Investinchengdu.com wholeheartedly agrees with the sentiments of the Chengdu Municipal government and Mr Liu Xingjun in further developing Chengdus economic, creative and strategic capabilities throughout Western China.

Indeed, the Chengdu (USD$160billion) and Sichuan (USD$460billion) economies have demonstrated superior growth and it’s GDP numbers rank above many well established and developed nations.  Furthermore within Western China, which encompasses the 73% landmass of China and accounts for 28% of its overall GDP, Chengdu and Sichuan are shining beacons of economic growth and prosperity.

Thereby, the development of the ‘One Gateway, One Highland, Two Centres Policy’ is paramount in continuing this economic trajectory path.  However, in todays ever changing global environment and with the economic slowdown within the Chinese residential and traditional manufacturing industries, what is required as stipulated by the 13th 5 Year Plan is the transition to the green innovation and research driven economy.

 

Accordingly what is fundamental is that Chengdu’s citizens have to continually develop their entrepreneurial zeal and innovation drive. Furthermore, with the influx of knowledgeable and talented professionals, and innovative startups from around the world, this will help Chengdu introduce global management and technical standards and further stimulate their entrepreneurial and innovation drive.

Investinchengdu.com fully understands that the transition from a well developed economy to the emerging frontiers of Western China will no mean feat and there will be communication, language and cultural challenges.  Indeed entering any new jurisdiction will always pose these challenges.

However, in Chengdu’s case, it is their honest, tolerant, and welcoming character that will help these professionals, startups and enterprises, feel at home and effectively assimilate within business, cultural and social circles.

Sometimes they say ‘life is an adventure, and one cannot rest on their laurels and let life go by”. Indeed there comes a time when one has to make a concerted and educated decision to further develop their career and entrepreneurial aspirations, and Chengdu and Sichuan maybe one of those global cities and regions where these dreams may eventuate.’

 

Information source: The Chengdu Economic Daily 16/10/2015 

Disclaimer: The above article has been summarised and translated from The Chengdu Economic Daily.