Changchun New Area, powerhouse for Chinese economy

Spearhead to the world

Sun said Changchun New Area aims to become a new window to the world by 2030.

The first step is to apply for the national new area based on its four high-tech zones, which was done in February last year. It will make the city a new free trade area in 2020. And by 2030, the economic policies should meet the demand of an international trade center.

"Changchun New Area has great potential to grow into a free trade area since we have strengths in industry, scientific research and supporting policies to improve infrastructure and services."

The new area now has 134 foreign companies and 25 companies invested in by Fortune Global 500 enterprises.

In 2016, a series of projects were settled in the area, bringing in a total investment of up to 10 billion yuan ($1.45 billion) for each, including Puren International Medical Town, Sinobioway Biological Agriculture Demonstration Zone and Guangdong Longhao Airport Industrial Park.

"The new area is attracting more projects, which will help to promote the construction of an industrial cluster of high-end manufacturing, biomedicine and new material industries," Sun said.

International industrial parks co-constructed with Japan, the Republic of Korea, Germany and other European countries are under way with investment and high-end technology being introduced.

Also, 12 trade representative offices and 24 cargo- canvassing centers in cities such as Moscow, Paris, San Francisco and New York are expected to be established in 2030.

"We expect to turn ‘processed in Changchun’ into ‘made in Changchun’," Sun said.

He said approval system has been simplified to attract more projects to come. "The time was reduced by 50 percent. Now, it takes only one month to introduce and begin a project in the new area."

Beyond the new projects and management mechanisms, logistics systems have also been improved through construction of international airports and land ports.

The new area launched the expansion project of Longjia International Airport in 2015 with more international routes expected to open, including Changchun-Russia flights and routes reaching cities in northern Europe, he said.

When the project is completed in 2017, the passenger volume will be increased to 60 million every year and cargo volume will reach 3 million tons per year, according to Sun. The figures are expected to hit 7 and 38 times of those in 2015 respectively.

"The airport will be the logistics hub of northeastern Asian airlines," he said.

The Changchun-Manzhouli-Germany international cargo train opened on Aug 31, taking just 14 days to travel through 13 railway stations in five European countries.

"With more international airlines, railways and ship routes to be opened, Changchun New Area will become the production and material reservation base in Northeast Asia which covers 28 countries with a population of 880 million and a gross economy of $30 trillion," Sun said.

To attract more international trade, Sun said the local government will build an international airport business district near the Longjia International Airport by 2020, which will house a convention center, reception center, exhibition center and foreign consulates.

He said they plan to build a first-class modern commercial center in Northeast Asia to serve foreigners who visit or seek business agreements in Changchun.

"Only if we target the global market can we have more access to modern technology, resources, markets, professionals and ideas in a broader international context," Sun said.

"Located in the center of Northeast China, Changchun New Area connects northeastern China’s cities as a whole," he said. "Now many roads have been built, many projects have been introduced and many new policies have been released. Though we still face some problems, I believe the new area will play an important role in the revitalization of Northeast China."

Though he feels great pressure facing so many challenges, Sun said he is deeply moved when he sees how dedicated his colleagues are to the new area’s growth.

"As for myself, this job brings me many challenges, but also brings many touching moments. Ever since the planning stages of Changchun New Area, we have received so much help

and support from the superior departments. Employees in the new area are so passionate to participate," the 60-year-old Party chief, who has spent many years in different major district and development areas in the city, said. "I see a bright future for an innovative, inclusive, fair and ecologically friendly new area."

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