Chongqing - "Pairing assistance allows for a more effective utilization of the comparative advantages across various regions and, through collaboration, reaches a synergistic effect where 1+1>2," said Jia Ruoxiang, director and researcher of the Comprehensive Research Office at the Institute of Spatial Planning and Regional Economy of the NDRC in an exclusive interview with Bridging News on October 20.

In China's mission to eliminate absolute poverty, pairing assistance has played a pivotal role. Based on the principles of complementary strengths, mutual benefit, long-term cooperation, and shared development, both assisting and recipient regions have achieved common growth and prosperity.

Both assisting and recipient regions achieved common growth

"National pairing assistance to the Three Gorges Reservoir Area is instrumental in promoting high-quality development in the region and enhancing the quality of life for its inhabitants," stated Jia.

Thanks to China's pairing assistance program, which has been steadfastly focused on improving essential public services in the region, facilitates the gradual prosperity of local residents and ensures harmonious stability. 

For example, provinces like Yunnan and Guangdong and cities such as Guangzhou and Xiamen have allocated special funds to address critical transportation, water supply, education, and healthcare issues, effectively eliminating infrastructure bottlenecks in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. 

Meanwhile, Liaoning Province has undertaken projects to build facilities like care centers for disabled individuals in Fengjie County, Chongqing. Tianjin and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have supported to achieve Tertiary Hospitals status for medical institutions in Wanzhou and Changshou districts, respectively. Nanjing has provided support for the reconstruction of Jinling Middle School in Wanzhou.

As of 2022, the Three Gorges Chongqing Reservoir Area (Chongqing) has attracted a cumulative total of 179.4 billion yuan (USD 24.5 billion) in pairing assistance funds and over 1,800 industrial cooperation projects. Partner provinces, regions, and cities have trained more than 60,000 individuals in various fields, established 445 schools, and engaged in the exchange of over 1,200 officials.

Better serve national strategic priorities

"The Three Gorges Reservoir Area pairing assistance has entered an innovative development phase, and in the future, it should be focused on better serving national strategic priorities," Jia commented. 

Jia believes Chongqing should leverage its strategic geographic advantage in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, further elevating the scope, dimensions, and effectiveness of pairing assistance cooperation.

Chongqing has now created an international logistics network that connects globally. For example, going east, Chongqing directly connects to the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, allowing goods to reach various countries worldwide.

This Jukt, a cargo ship laden with imported soybeans from Zhoushan Port in Zhejiang, arrived at Xintian Port in Wanzhou, Chongqing, marking the formal initiation of the river-sea intermodal transport. Notably, the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port achieved an annual cargo throughput of over 1.25 billion tons, holding the global top position for 14 consecutive years.

Similarly, cities in the Yangtze River's midstream have maximized the Yangluo Port's hub advantage in Wuhan, expanding new international logistics corridors. In 2022, Hubei's import and export value reached 617.08 billion yuan, surpassing the trillion yuan milestone for three consecutive years.

The China-Europe Railway Express (Wuhan) currently serves 40 countries and 107 cities involved in the Belt and Road route. Downstream of the Yangtze River, the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port plays a vital role in leading and accelerating the eastward opening-up, ensuring a seamless connection between the river and sea, and reinforcing the region's advantages in eastern opening-up.