Regional Cooperation: New Pattern & Engine for Western Development

Picture of Wang Yang, Vice Premier of the State Council, Giving the Keynote Speech

In his keynote speech, Premier Wang Yang expressed congratulations on the opening of the fair and the forum on behalf of the Chinese government. He also extended warm welcome to the guests and sent regards to Chinese and foreign friends contributing to growth of western China.

　　“Western China is a land of magic and hope since ancient times. At the turn of the century, the Chinese government launched the Western Development Strategy, ushering the vast west into a new chapter with racing economy, radically improved urban and rural environment and leaping development of people’s livelihood. It has been proved that the campaign, which is completed by generations today but still benefits future generations, is in the public interest and for sustainable development. It has not only improved the poor west but also enlarged the domestic market, relieving the restriction of the resource bottleneck, enlarging the leeway of the national development and creating great business opportunities for enterprises across the world. However, we should notice that there is still a great developing gap between the west and the east in infrastructure, ecological environment, economic structure and coverage and depth of poverty among other problems. Therefore, there is still a long way to go in the campaign and in solving poverty problems and promoting coordinated regional development in China. We shall continue to put the Western Development Strategy as our priority, never relenting in providing supporting policies for the undertaking,” he said.

　　“The Western Development Strategy is implemented based on our experience of promoting opening up-driven development. The western region accounts for as much as 72% of the territory in China but accommodates only 27% of the total population. Although bordering 13 countries with a borderline stretching 18,500km, the region takes up only 6% of the total foreign trade value and less than 10% of the foreign capital utilization and foreign investment in China. The western region nurtures the greatest potential for further opening up of China and the major ground for open economy in China from the perspective of both width and depth. We believe that the open economy development in the western region is going through quantitative to qualitative changes ready for the golden era of accelerated development which is set to bring greater business opportunities for enterprises home and abroad. We shall focus on the following aspects to further opening-up of the west: first, optimizing the strategic layout of opening up; second, developing a new mechanism for opening up; third, completing the policy system of opening up; and fourth, developing a comprehensive cooperation mechanism for opening up,” Wang Yang pointed out.

　　Wang Yang finally stressed, “Nestled in the southwestern region of China, Sichuan is endowed with beautiful mountains and rivers and friendly locals. The favorable environment for living, entrepreneurship and businesses has earned it the name of ‘Land of Abundance’. Sichuan also leads in the western region in population and economy. Its comprehensive industrial system and great market potential make it an important player in the western region. More importantly, surviving the earthquakes in Wenchuan and Ya’an, peoples in Sichuan have shown their spirit of openness, inclusiveness, solidarity, toughness and bravery by composing a magnificent chapter from solemn to heroic themes on this poetic land. This is the intangible wealth of Sichuan people and the spirit required for the Western Development Strategy. With such spirit, we shall upgrade the poor west fundamentally and build it into a great homeland with prosperous economy, advanced society, beautiful environment and happy people.”