Shapingba builds west China's 'Silicon Valley'

With more than 3,000 years of history, Shapingba District in Chongqing boasts rich culture and educational strength and now it is making moves to transform itself into a modern IT hub in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

To the west of its central urban area, a new town, called West Chongqing New City, is looking to become west China's "Silicon Valley".

Covering 260 square kilometers, the city includes Chongqing University Town, Xiyong Micro Electronics Industry Park, Xiyong Comprehensive Bonded Zone, Xiyong Central Business Area and Chongqing Logistics City.

Once completed, it is estimated that 1 million people will live in the new city.

Shapingba has long been the education base of Chongqing, with 18 higher education institutes, 10 vocational colleges, 87 middle and primary schools and 65 research institutions.

It is home to more than 300,000 students and 80,000 research professionals.

Chongqing University Town, one of the largest of its kind in China, is home to 14 universities and colleges, including Chongqing University, PLA Third Military Medical University, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Normal University and Sichuan Fine Arts Institute.

The university town has 150,000 students and teachers and by 2025, the number is expected to reach 250,000.

The electronic information industry became a new pillar of the district's economy after renowned IT companies, including HP, Foxconn, Quanta and Inventec, built their plants in Chongqing Xiyong Micro Electronics Industry Park.

Established in 2005, the park has attracted more than 170 companies, including 11 Fortune 500 companies, with total investment of 25 billion yuan ($4 billion). It is estimated that the park's output value will hit 500 billion yuan in 2015.

Xiyong Comprehensive Bonded Zone and Chongqing Logistics City have become a gateway for inland China to international trade. The 10-sq-km bonded zone, established in 2010, is the largest and most comprehensive one in the country.

By the end of 2015, the total import and export volume in the bonded zone is expected to reach $100 billion.

tanyingzi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/07/2015 page24)