Government lists high-quality projects aimed at helping economy, Zhuan Ti reports.

Futian district, in Shenzhen, should act fast to make great achievements in the first quarter of this year, district Party chief Xiao Yafei said in a statement published on Feb 17.

The district government has listed major work tasks and projects for 2017 for different departments, all of which will publish their action plans for raising "urban quality".

Xiao revealed that 50 projects will be launched and the difficulties concerning the renovation projects of Xiangmihu Food Street and the Meifu community will also be addressed this year.

On Feb 5, an opening ceremony for 31 key livelihood enhancement projects was held at Tianjian Industrial Park. The projects include school expansions, urban renewal and the renovation of old residential areas.

 

Officials at the event reported that the total volume of the investment in the 31 projects will reach 27.23 billion yuan ($3.95 billion) including 6.88 billion yuan to be spent this year. Municipal leaders, including Xu Qin, Shenzhen Party chief, and Gao Shengyuan, head of Futian district government, attended the ceremony.

Gao said at the opening ceremony that Futian district will focus on improving the quality of projects in Shenzhen. All of the major projects will be carried out in accordance with the Shenzhen quality standard in sustainable development and globalization.

A few examples of the key livelihood projects are urban renewal in Tianjian Industrial Park, a greening and permanent restoration project for Metro Line 7 and Metro Line 9, road and public facilities improvements in the Futian Free Trade Zone (Phase II) and renovation of old residential areas such as Lihu Tongxinling.

The projects were launched after the annual sessions of the district legislature and political advisory body were convened.

Futian maintained a regional GDP growth rate of 8.6 percent in 2016, reaching its goal set for the year, announced Gao, while delivering a government work report at the second Session of the seventh Futian District People's Congress on Jan 19.

The district government work report summarized the government's work in 2016 and announced plans and goals for this year.

"Futian's economy has maintained steady growth. It was estimated that the district's GDP would reach 356 billion yuan in 2016, up about 8.6 percent on the previous year and equivalent to that of a medium-sized Chinese city," said Gao.

The district has handed in its report on economic achievement for the past year. For instance, total retail sales of consumer goods topped 165 billion yuan, retaining the top position in Shenzhen and accounting for more than one-third of the city's total.

In addition, the volume of foreign trade surpassed $118.6 billion in Futian, making up one-fourth of the city's total, which included $52.7 billion in exports. The export and import volumes and the total foreign trade volume in Futian continued to rank No 1 in Shenzhen.

In particular, Gao said, Futian's position as the city's financial hub was secured as the added value of the financial industry rose 10 percent to top 124.5 billion yuan, which accounted for more than 40 percent of the city's financial industry and contributed 35 percent to the district's GDP.

As for improving the livelihoods of Futian residents in relation to education and healthcare, the work report noted that Futian had spent 18.33 billion yuan on social undertakings and of improving people's well-being, making up 80 percent of the district's general budgeted expenditure.

The district is expecting regional GDP to grow by around 8.3 percent this year and fixed-asset investment to increase by more than 18 percent.

The report also maps out plans for other aspects including enhancing urban management and placing greater emphasis on green spaces and environmental protection.

A spectacular view from Lianhua Mountain Park in the center of Shenzhen's Futian district, with Shenzhen Civic Center and CBD in the background. Photos Provided to China Daily

(HK Edition 03/10/2017 page1)