Chongqing- This year's government work report puts forward the need to promote the formation of a new pattern in the development of the western region. Entering a new stage of development, how Sichuan and Chongqing will focus on enhancing the effectiveness of opening up and cooperation, on further promoting the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle？
Chongqing held a special “cloud press conference” for the undergoing Two Sessions, inviting members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to discuss the further development of Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle.
How Sichuan and Chongqing will focus on enhancing the effectiveness of opening up and cooperation, on further promoting the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle? (iChongqing file photo)
Opening-Up Railway and Ports
Wang Jiguang, Member of the CPPCC and Deputy Secretary-general of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, thinks that the key to building up the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle structure is the construction of an important opening-up platform and strategic channels.
Opening-up is inseparable from ports. "Chengdu and Chongqing should increase their pace of opening up special function areas in the fields of finance and technology, and expand the opening of ports and airports," said Wang.
"Chengdu and Chongqing should expand the opening of ports and airports," said Wang. (iChongqing file photo)
Wang took the financial cooperation with Singapore as an example and pointed out that it can promote the interconnection of financial markets between China and Singapore, including money and fund management. Meanwhile, a more flexible personnel system can be implemented in the respective national development zones between the two places, and a shared cooperation mechanism can also be formed in medical, education, finance, logistics, services, and other fields.
Wang continued, Sichuan and Chongqing should work together to establish national first-class ports and speed up the opening of railway ports. For instance, they can jointly apply for constructing an economic development zone for international railways and water transport ports with complementary functions and carry out innovative explorations in cross-border finance, cross-border tourism, customs clearance, law enforcement cooperation, personnel entry, and exit management, etc.
He proposed, the whole region of the two places can even implement a 144-hour visa-free transit on international routes and establish a shared entry and exit management mechanism of “Chongqing in Chongqing out” and “Chongqing out Chengdu in.”
In addition to the open platform, Wang believes that the strategic channel is also important to promote the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle's construction.
Wang Jiguang believes that the strategic channel is also important to promote the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle's construction. (iChongqing file photo)
“Through improving the construction of Cuntan Port, Guoyuan Port, Wanzhou Port, and other ports, Chengdu and Chongqing will build a port cluster on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River that connects east and west, in a low-cost, fast and efficient way,” said Wang.
He insists this will further integrate the industrial capabilities, domestic demand market, and external demand-supply between the two places into one and strongly promotes economic and trade cooperation with Europe, ASEAN, and other places.
A bird view of Chongqing Guoyuan Port National Logistics Hub. (iChongqing file photo)
A new open pattern
Why is it important to apply the rule of law to the new development pattern? Peng Jing, Member of the CPPCC, Vice Chairman of Chongqing Non-Party Intellectuals Association, and Chief Lawyer of Chongqing Jingsheng Law Firm, raised an example.
“The construction of the New International Land and Sea Trade Corridor in the western part of the Chengdu-Chongqing region's open pattern involves many countries and regions,” said Peng. “It is necessary to resolve issues such as institutional mechanisms for coordination and cooperation of all parties, as well as international investment and trade rules.”
The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor is Chongqing’s major channel to the sea and plays a pivotal role in its open development. (iChongqing file photo)
Peng added, this requires the Ministry of Commerce to take the lead in adopting international law and negotiations to clarify the rights and responsibilities of all participants and stakeholders. It is particularly essential to properly handle the cooperative relations with countries and regions along the Belt and Road, such as Southeast Asia and Europe.
“Only by clarifying these relationships, the international cooperations can be dealt with more smoothly and easily along with the New International Land and Sea Trade Corridor, " Peng emphasized.
In addition, in Peng’s perspective, building a community of legal services in Sichuan and Chongqing also plays a crucial role in growing a new open pattern.
Through exploring the establishment of a commercial arbitration and mediation center for the Belt and Road, Chengdu and Chongqing will jointly cultivate a group of comprehensive flagship brand legal service institutions and jointly form a professional legal service team.
This will provide one-stop legal services for major supporting and leading projects in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, involving constructing a large channel out of Chongqing and Sichuan and joint creation of an international shipping hub and a western financial center.