Changyi turns investor beacon on policy push

Changyi, a county-level city in Weifang, Shandong province, is strategically positioning itself as an investment magnet to draw in more investors, as part of efforts to provide robust momentum and support for high-quality economic development.

During the January-October period of 2023, the city conducted 105 targeted investment promotion activities in first-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, signing contracts for 104 new projects worth more than 100 million yuan ($13.9 million).

Construction has begun on 36 projects, while 10 projects have been made operational, according to data from the local government.

"All that enterprises intending to invest need to do is to provide project information during the coordination process. We take care of the rest, in order to simplify the processes for businesses as much as possible," said Xia Haitao, director of Changyi's investment promotion center.

The city has so far successfully attracted major cooperative projects, such as an offshore wind and solar power integration demonstration project with the Three Gorges Group, marking the nation's first tripartite model combining wind, sunlight, and fishing farms.

"The decision to invest in and construct new energy projects here was supported by a series of project advancement services provided by the local government, allowing the project to transition from large-scale construction to grid-connected power generation in just 180 days," said Cao Jinchao, manager of the engineering management department at Three Gorges New Energy Shandong Changyi Power Generation Co Ltd.

Cao said the stable offshore wind speed and ample sunlight in the northern part of Changyi also provide unique advantages for developing offshore wind power.

The successful grid connection has not only filled a domestic gap and completed the industrial chain for local new energy development, but has also attracted a series of enterprises to invest in Changyi, leading to a virtuous cycle of business growth, said Sun Zhaoxing, director of Changyi's development and reform bureau.

Adapting to local needs

According to the annual tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference held in December, China will continuously optimize its business environment and constantly stimulate enthusiasm and creativity among business entities.

However, achieving the goal means not only inviting businesses, but also helping them adapt to the local business environment and showing actual growth.

At a production line for new materials in Changyi, workers are busy efficiently fulfilling orders.

"Regular on-site coordination and timely communication with local government departments have significantly facilitated our operations, effectively boosting project progress and securing time for completion," said Liu Wenpeng, head of the engineering department at Weifang-based Yaxing Chemical.

Similarly, a shrimp breeding company has made Changyi its home after the local government helped it overcome difficult industry bottlenecks.

"When it comes to shrimp breeding, water quality is most important. We found that Changyi's climate and geographical conditions are ideal for shrimp breeding. However, due to the presence of a chemical industrial park, there were concerns about possible minor groundwater pollution, which may have made it unsuitable for aquaculture," said Luo Kun, deputy general manager of Bangpu, a Changyi-based breeding tech firm.

Upon learning of this, the local government immediately drilled a deep well at Bangpu's breeding site, and collected water samples before sending them to qualified testing institutions. The test results confirmed that it was a false alarm — the water quality met the requirements for shrimp breeding.

"It was this dedicated move by the local government that prompted us to establish a breeding base in Changyi," Luo added.

Through strategic cooperation with high-quality domestic resources, Bangpu has established China's largest and most genetically diverse living seed bank for white-leg shrimp.

Key genetic collections have been continuously selected for over five generations, with an annual capacity to breed 100,000 pairs of high-quality shrimp, filling a gap in the domestic market and overcoming the challenge from shrimp breeding technologies being monopolized for years by foreign entities, the company said.

Meticulous planning

Changyi's proactive approach to investment promotion also lies in its meticulous planning that focuses on key industrial sectors such as high-end chemicals, intelligent equipment manufacturing and new energy equipment.

It has outlined precise investment roadmaps for each industry, streamlining the process for interested businesses.

Through advanced technologies like 3D modeling, AI panoramas, GPS positioning and GIS systems, the local government also aims to break constraints stemming from traditional investment practices.

Critical investment information about the city, such as location advantages, transportation, climate, power and land usage, as well as existing industrial structures, can be found on its WeChat mini-program.

This integration enhances the efficiency of attracting investment by presenting a comprehensive overview of available resources, said the Changyi government.

To further enhance project management services throughout its full life cycle, Changyi has organized 14 rounds of bank-enterprise matchmaking activities since the beginning of 2023, benefiting over 700 enterprises.

Tax and fee reductions have amounted to 530 million yuan, injecting financial vitality into the city's development, data from the Weifang Investment Promotion Network showed.

Its dedication to simplified procedures, tailored investment roadmaps and a favorable business environment has translated into tangible success.

"In the year 2023, Changyi organized a series of project signing activities, inking 37 deals with a total investment of about 12 billion yuan, making investment attraction a strong force for high-quality development," said Xia of Changyi's investment promotion center.

The city's investment-related activities were even more active during the end-year period, Xia said.

From January to October, the total industrial output by entities above a designated size (20 million yuan in main business revenue) in Changyi reached 68.53 billion yuan, an increase of 7.4 percent year-on-year.

The operating income of such industrial players stood at 63.61 billion yuan, up 11.4 percent year-on-year, according to Changyi government data.