In the new era of opening up and development, Chongqing is full of vitality and once again opens its arms and invites the whole world to join us building a new Chongqing. In this issue, Chongqing Currents talks about opportunities and prospects with Zhang Yongwu, Director of Chongqing Municipal Commerce Commission.
2023 New Start
This year sees the full implementation of the 20th CPC National Congress, and also the beginning year of the new era, new journey, and new Chongqing. A time to build a great all round modern socialist country. Commerce will meet new requirements, follow new paths and new journeys, and build a new Chongqing. To drive regional successes, bring the construction of an open inland economy to a higher level, cultivate and enhance international consumption in the main urban areas, and keep Chongqing’s lead in foreign investment in western China. Be adept at turning dangers into opportunities and seek success, apply a problem-solving-oriented approach, accurately identify changes, apply scientific changes, actively seek evolution, improve weaknesses, strengthen shortcomings, solve difficulties, and accelerate the pace of development. Strengthen confidence and continue to move forward, seize the window of opportunity, take the initiative, and focus on all aspects of commercial development.
Advantages of Chongqing
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The only central government administered municipality in western China, a national-level central China megacity, a total municipal population of about 32.13 million and covering an area over 82,400 square kilometers;
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The connecting point between the "One Belt One Road" and the Yangtze River Economic Zone, and a major open inland economy;
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The economic, financial, scientific and technological innovation, shipping and commercial logistics centre of the upper Yangtze River area;
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A core city in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle;
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International consumer hub;
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The pilot city for environmental industry innovation;
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The pilot city for expanding the opening up of the service industry;
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A key national-level advanced manufacturing centre;
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The western China financial centre, western China international comprehensive transportation hub, and international gateway;
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China’s only national logistics hub city with four sectors;
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The first city on the China-Europe railway, the site of China (Chongqing) Pilot Free Trade Zone, China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity, Liangjiang New Area, and the new western land-sea corridor.
Attract International Investment
In 2023, Chongqing's commerce sector will focus on opportunities such as the growth of Chongqing as an international consumer centre, the new western land-sea corridor, RCEP, the market procurement trade pilot project, and the comprehensive pilot for expanding the opening of the service industry. It will serve national strategies such as the building of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle and the open inland economy, further strengthen Chongqing’s attractiveness as an FDI centre and retain Chongqing’s lead in foreign capital in actual use in western China.
At the same time, Chongqing will create an "industrial chain map" for foreign investment, seek to attract investment in accordance with this plan, and accelerate the introduction of a number of major foreign investment projects.
International Consumer Centre
Building an international consumer hub is a top priority for Chongqing's commercial development. In 2023, Chongqing will accelerate its transformation into an international consumer centre in combination with the building of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. It will continue to develop the marketing campaigns for Sichuan and Chongqing, such as "love in Chongqing" and "ease in Sichuan", to create synergy between the two. The Chengdu-Chongqing consumer service alliance has been established. The joint holding of the "Chengdu-Chongqing Consumption Festival" and other themed consumer promotion activities, the global comprehensive influence of the "Chongqing-Chengdu Consumer hub" will be enhanced, and the Chengdu-Chongqing brand will also be created.