DuPont sees great growth in western China

BEIJING -- Chengdu and other major cities in western China are developing rapidly and have "great growth potential," says a senior executive with one of the world's leading chemical companies.

"We see great growth potential in Chengdu because it is one of the fastest growing cities in southwest China, and has great advantages in infrastructure, business environment and talents," Tony H.S.Su, president of DuPont Greater China, said in a recent written interview with Xinhua.

Su is attending the 2013 Fortune Global Forum in Chengdu, the capital city of Southwest China's Sichuan province, from Thursday to Saturday.

The executive said Chengdu, named as one of the 13 emerging megacities in China in a 2012 report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, is developing into one of the powerhouses for China's sustainable development.

"I want to reiterate that DuPont is committed to contributing to Chengdu and Sichuan's growth through our science and technologies," Su said. "Working together we can help meet the challenges we all face now and will continue to face in the future, for a better and brighter future."

Sichuan's advantages in high-end materials industry, resources, R&D capabilities and manpower support make it an important economic and industrial base in the "Go-West" initiative of China, he said.

"As the capital of Sichuan province, Chengdu has commercial operations and market prospects advantage, compared to similar cities in eastern China," Su said.

Su said Chengdu attaches great importance to the development of strategic emerging industries and high-tech industries, which is consistent with DuPont's direction to meet the economic and social needs of the people in western China.

"From DuPont's perspective, there are many collaboration opportunities with local enterprises in the electronic materials, photovoltaic solar energy, agriculture, nutrition and health and other fields," Su said.

DuPont Greater China was established as a DuPont subsidiary in Chengdu last year. Su said the move marks a milestone in the growth of DuPont China as the company looks to expand its presence in the region.

"We look forward to working with local governments, academics, science institutes and industry partners to contribute to a better Chengdu and western China," he said.

Nevertheless, Su said, China also faces some challenges during a period of rapid urbanization and economic growth.

"Rapid urbanization has helped lift the living standards of millions of Chinese, but it is also putting significant pressure on infrastructure, workplace safety, and the natural environment," he said.

Su called on the public and private sectors to work together to accomplish "one of the great economic and social transformations in history" with a minimal impact on human health and environment.

"We look forward to providing the technologies that will help safeguard Chinese health, happiness, and prosperity in coming years," he said.