Going forward in a progressive city

Mayor sees services and high-tech projects fueled by foreign investment

Could you talk about Suzhou's specific practice in developing an open economy and making an innovative strategy?

Our goal to develop an open economy during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) is such: By 2020, imports will take up to 50 percent of trade, while general exports will reach about 35 percent. The scale of foreign investment will remain stable.

By 2020, Suzhou will utilize $25 billion of foreign capital. A group of leading companies with international competitiveness will be nurtured to better implement the strategy to "go global". Our companies will invest $2 billion overseas annually on average.

Specifically speaking, by the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan, the service industry will utilize more than 45 percent of foreign investment, while strategic emerging industries and high-tech projects will utilize more than 50 percent.

Project 155, which helps local businesses to go global, will be implemented. The program includes 100 key companies, 50 backbone groups and five leading enterprises.

Suzhou saw an increase in its exports despite economic downward pressure last year. Could you tell us how Suzhou upgraded its foreign trade mode from quantity-oriented to quality-oriented?

First, we have a plan to promote our brand overseas. Based on platforms like Madeinsuzhou.cn and the Suzhou eMEX, we want to improve the influence and brand image of "made in Suzhou".

Second, we provide better conditions to attract more foreign companies to base their regional headquarters and function centers in Suzhou to deepen their connection with the city.

Third, we encourage our companies to take advantage of opportunities like the Belt and Road Initiative and explore new markets.

Fourth, we implemented an "Internet Plus Foreign Trade" plan. We are setting up a pilot zone of cross-border e-commerce in Suzhou, which aims to build an administration and service system that benefits the development of e-commerce.

Fifth, we use "go global" to stimulate the expansion of our companies overseas. We encourage companies to take contracts of high-end projects to push forward the exportation of complete sets of equipment and importation of key resources.

Sixth, we promote importation of advanced equipment, key parts and resources in short supply, as well as some important daily necessities.

Suzhou has been leading the way in protecting ancient cities in China. How do you strike a balance between preservation and development in the city?

Compared with other cities in China, Suzhou has a relatively more integrated planning system for ancient city protection. From the 1980s till now, the plan for famous city protection has been updated to its fifth edition, and for ancient city preservation the plan has been revised to a third edition.

Suzhou also pays attention to development within ancient city zones. Since 1996, our policy has kept promoting the development of the service industry and the removal of secondary industry. We aim to build a high-end service economy and an innovation zone of culture and tourism.

What is the role of the Suzhou Industrial Park in the city? What is your plan for its development?

The Industrial Park, with 3.4 percent of Suzhou's land and 6.8 percent of its population, has created 13 percent of the city's industrial production, 15 percent of the local GDP and 16 percent of local budget revenue. Since its establishment, it has contributed 15.3 percent of Suzhou's GDP increase, 13.1 percent of industrial production increase and 29.1 percent of foreign trade increase.

By 2020, it will become the leading innovation zone in South Jiangsu and an upgraded version of China's development zone. By 2025, the park will become a global innovation zone and international business community.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan, what will be the key of Suzhou's tourism? Any highlights?

Suzhou will promote its uniqueness of cultural heritage, combination of city and tourism, and bifacial embroidery in an effort to enhance its international appeal.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan, Suzhou will promote a new idea of "community tourism", gathering local residents, artists, tourists and people who like to socialize.

What kinds of talents does Suzhou most want to attract? What industries will benefit from these talents?

We aim to attract talents in nanotechnology, new-generation information technology, high-end equipment manufacturing, new materials, new energy, energy saving, environmental protection, biomedicine, medical equipment and other key areas. We plan to build two to three innovation teams in five years that can push industry to higher levels and impact the world.

By 2020, we will bring in 2,000 overseas talents that can lead or facilitate the development of key areas.

Aside from their own fields, they will benefit the development of education, healthcare, tourism and social management among other modern service industries.

edzhang@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 06/24/2016 page27)