BRI: Chongqing to Expand International Influence

By Xinyi Li, EDITOR

On April 25, during the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (abbreviated as BRFIC below), Chongqing proposed three development goals promoting the co-construction of the “Belt and Road” Initiative (abbreviated as BRI below). It aims to cooperate with more cities along the BRI, expanding its domestic and international reach.

Promote the establishment of the ILSTC operation center in Chongqing

The opening of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) and the China Railway Express (Chongqing) has realized Chongqing’s organic engagement in BRI. Offering more convenient and efficient international logistics channels for interconnection between countries along the route, the two corridors have greatly accelerated the integration process of co-building the BRI.

For the next step, Chongqing plans to deepen the cooperation with sister provinces, cities, and countries along the BRI. Additionally, it will take multiple measures to propel the comprehensive balance of various logistics costs by means of promoting multimodal transport, optimizing network operation, and reducing costs of the station field, port, and clearance.

Reform the Business environment

Highly valuing its business climate, Chongqing strives to become an ideal place suitable for international business.

The city insists on equal treatment of domestic and foreign enterprises, state-owned and private enterprises, as well as enterprises inside and outside Chongqing. To promote market-oriented reform of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), the reorganization, transfer, and unified supervision of SOEs affiliated to municipal authorities and public institutions should be implemented. Moreover, SOEs are expected to withdraw from the general competitive industries of their own accord, thus making room for the development of private and foreign enterprises.

Chongqing will continue “delegating power, streamlining administration and optimizing government services”  to fully improve the efficiency of administrative approval and government services. It will reduce the handling duration to less than 50/15 workdays respectively for the whole process of general social investment projects and the process from land acquisition to construction commencement of general industrial projects. Moreover, it plans to vigorously develop the “Internet + government services”, make the approval service available across the city, build an efficient mobile terminal government service brand, and create an integrated online service platform.

Chongqing aims to optimize the legal/credit environment and reduce operating costs of enterprises. By fully implementing the national preferential tax policy, it cut taxes by over RMB 7 billion in 2018. Through cutting down the costs of water, electricity, and gas, it reduces the electricity costs of industrial and commercial enterprises by about RMB 1.6 billion annually.

Smart China Expo: Hold the i-Vista Grand Challenge

Upon the success of the First Smart China Expo (SCE), the 2019 SCE will continue being themed on “Smart Technology: Empowering Economy, Enriching Life”. With a global vision and international standard, it will stick to high quality and top level, highlighting its international and professional brand-building capacity.

During the 2019 SCE, Chongqing will hold the Big Data and Smart Technology Summit and the SCE Exhibition with high standard; organize competitions including the i-Vista Grand Challenge, the International Drone Racing Grand Prix (IDRGP), Global Internet Plus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, and Digital China Innovation Contest (DCIC); conduct activities such as the Mayors’ Roundtable for International Sister Cities of Chongqing, China, general discussion forums including the Globalized Digital Economy 100 Forum, and theme forums such as the China Smart City Forum (CSCF) . Let us embark on a wisdom tour in Chongqing.

Source: CQCB