The following keywords mentioned in the 2020 Government Work Report are about people’s basic needs, arousing heated discussions in Chongqing.

Construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle

Words from the Report: We will continue to promote large-scale development in the western region, the full revitalization of the northeast, the rise of the central region, and the trailblazing development of the eastern region. The development of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle will be promoted.

Qiao Mingjia, Secretary of the Leading Party Members’ Group and Director of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development: Strive to realize the integrated development of the city proper.

This year, Chongqing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development will accelerate the construction of urban infrastructure, following the strategic arrangement of establishing a one-hour commuting circle in the city proper. It is also going to expedite the development of Chongqing Rail Transit and strive for the integrated growth of the city proper, laying a solid foundation for the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. Additionally, the Commission will take planned steps to build ten public spaces, improve the 109-kilometer riverbank, and upgrade the “Two Rivers and Four Riversides” and “clear water and green riverside” project. It is expected to intensify further its efforts on reconstructing dilapidated buildings in rural areas and winning the fight against poverty to focus on offering safe housing, i

 New infrastructure and new urbanization initiatives and major projects

Words from the Report: Priority will be given to new infrastructure and new urbanization initiatives and major projects, which not only boost consumption and benefit the people, but also facilitate structural adjustments and enhance the sustainability of growth.

Head from the Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission: Step up the construction of new types of infrastructure.

In terms of stepping up the construction of new infrastructure, Chongqing has launched studies on policies supporting 5G technology, data center, etc. The Working Plan on Construction of Major Projects Concerning New Infrastructure of Chongqing, which was developed by Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission and relevant municipal departments recently, will power and support the city’s economic progress. Regarding speeding up the new urbanization, Chongqing has been working hard to reconstruct old residential communities, with the goal of renovating 729 such communities covering a total area of 22.75 million m² in 2020.

The city centers on the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle insists on developing major projects at the municipal- and district-level to accelerate further the infrastructure (including transportation, water conservancy, energy, and municipal engineering) building and expand effective investment. Investment on municipal-level major projects from January to April totaled RMB 92.9 billion, equal to the amount of the same period last year.

Regular epidemic prevention and control

Words from the Report: In the next stage, we will not let up on any front of our long-term fight against COVID-19, nor will we lose any time in advancing China’s economic and social development agenda.

Li Pan, Director of Disease Control and Prevention Department of Chongqing Municipal Health Commission: Expand nucleic acid test detection for early screening.

Chongqing will spare no effort to “forestall imported infections and domestic resurgence.” First, it summarizes the experience in epidemic prevention and control, formulating local standards involving 11 kinds of key places, five groups of people, and eight kinds of institutions. Second, it improves people’s awareness of epidemic prevention and control, releasing 25 guidelines on scientific methods of mask-wearing and control of group gathering. Third, it expands nucleic acid test detection for early screening. Everyone from the eight key groups, including the close contacts, people from foreign countries and some key epidemic-stricken areas, and patients visiting the fever clinic, should receive nucleic acid tests; staff working in communities for epidemic prevention and control, practitioners working in maternal and child service industry, students back to school, etc. should receive spot tests at a proper time; other people who are willing to be tested at their own expense have access to testing in institutions, of which the list of the first batch has been announced. Fourth, it establishes ten mechanisms for regular epidemic prevention and control, making timely, practical, and dedicated efforts to forestall imported infections and domestic resurgence.

Recovery of consumption

Words from the Report: Promote the recovery of consumption. We will stabilize employment, promote income growth, and ensure people’s basic needs are met to encourage and enable consumer spending.

Zhang Zhikui, Director of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce: Relying on influencer marketing and other new types of business to stimulate the selling of made-in-Chongqing products.

To recover the market and stabilize and expand consumption, Chongqing released the Notice on Further Revitalizing Consumption and Stabilizing Economic Growth and held such activities as “Love Fashionable Chongqing · Love Affordable Summer” 2020 Chongqing Consumption Season. Next, the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce is slated to continue related activities and rely on influencer marketing and other new types of businesses to stimulate production and the selling of products made in the city. As a result, it can further revitalize the market, unleash potentials, and expand consumption.