By Yuling Chen, EDITOR
In 2018, Chongqing adhered to the principle of “government guidance and market-leading”. Striving to overcome the downward economic pressure, it has promoted the construction and development of business districts.
Chongqing Jiefangbei CBD
12 business districts at the level of RMB 10 billion or above
According to statistics, as of the end of 2018, there have been 12 business districts at the level of RMB 10 billion or above in Chongqing. Specifically, there are one at the level of RMB 50 billion, one of RMB 40 billion, two of RMB 30 billion, three of 20 billion, and five of 10 billion.
MixC Mall in Chongqing
Chongqing has realized more than half of the consumption in these business districts. The Jiefangbei CBD is known as the “core of development and window of opening-up” of Chongqing. In 2018, its regional total retail sales of consumer goods exceeded RMB 57 billion. Hence it successfully received the approval as one of “the first batch of national transforming and upgrading pilot pedestrian zones.” Besides, it has also won the title of “the most popular business district in Chongqing.”
Chongqing has developed a three-level development pattern
Chongqing has made great achievements in the “large-scale” construction of business districts.
Incomplete statistics show that downtown business districts cover a built-up floor area of 19.04 square kilometers. Furthermore, the built-up building area reaches 36.85 million square meters. These include 11.252 million square meters of commercial and trade facilities and 8.69 million square meters of business facilities. The built-up building area of Chongqing’s central business districts accounts for 60% of the planned gross building area.
More than 10,000 enterprises, including over 150 mid- to high-end international retail brands, have settled in the central business districts. Therefore, Chongqing has developed a three-level development pattern of central business districts, downtown primary business districts, and district/county business districts.
Emphasis on high-quality investment promotion
Chongqing also lays emphasis on the “high-quality” investment promotion in business districts. According to statistics, there are currently 300 commercial buildings, 67 shopping centers, and 48,105 business units in downtown business districts. There are also 14,280 corporate enterprises and 4,083 settled mid- to high-end brands.
The Jiefangbei CBD boasts 15 large-scale commercial complexes, over 100 internationally-renowned brands, 10 consulates general, and over 10 international organizations.
There are also 18 buildings generating tax revenue over RMB 100 million, 78 Fortune Global 500 enterprises, and 145 headquarters and key enterprises. The Jiefangbei CBD has attracted more than 700 foreign-funded enterprises like Singapore City Development Limited and Dutch Royal DSM Group. Its output value of service trade exceeded RMB 500 million. As a result, it takes first place in the comprehensive ranking of 14 service trade industrial parks in Chongqing.
Diversified operation types
Chongqing’s business districts have also developed “diversified” operation types. They actively conform to the requirements for “one-stop”, recreational and experiential modern lifestyles.
Additionally, they keep optimizing diversified operation types, such as commerce, business, hotels, catering and entertainment. For instance, the Jiefangbei CBD has successfully built the Jiaochangkou night market. It owns more than 100 international first- and second-tier brands like LV and Gucci. For another example, the Guanyinqiao CBD continuously updates its brands and adjusts retail, catering, entertainment, recreation and other full-line brands every year. Meanwhile, it eliminates homogenized brands and gathers numerous international and domestic high-end brands like Gucci, Burberry, and Valentino.
Sharing of public space
The “sharing” of public space in business districts is another notable accomplishment in Chongqing. The quality of public spaces in business districts has been significantly improved. In the meantime, Chongqing has constantly accelerated the intelligent upgrading and transformation of infrastructures. The metro lines almost connect all the downtown business districts. In conjunction with that, the coverage rate of ground public transportation in business districts has basically reached 90% or more.