Liaoning Development Plan: China's northeastern province devoted to high quality growth

World
Europe

In 70 years of the Peoples Republic of China, its northeastern province of Liaoning has run the gamut of a national economic region. Its development has shifted from heavy industry to one of technology-driven innovation. But making this change was not easy. CGTN's Mark Fontes has more on Liaoning's many changes.

For decades, northeastern China's Liaoning Province was a key national industrial engine.

Then came China's reform and opening up of the late 1970s.

Liaoning struggled to keep up with rapidly growing hi-tech manufacturing regions, and enhance its innovation capacity.

CHEN QIUFA, SECRETARY CPC LIAONING PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE "We have increased investment in science and technology, which has contributed 55.5% to the whole economic growth. We have invented advanced equipment in national industries, and defense and scientific endeavors, such as the first made in China aircraft carrier."

Liaoning continues to attract more foreign capital.

Its foreign trade reached nearly 755 billion yuan - almost 110 billion US dollars in 2018.

And with the establishment of a Pilot Free Trade Zone, it has attracted more than 30-thousand registered enterprises.

CHEN QIUFA, SECRETARY CPC LIAONING PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE "Liaoning has three international transport railways that connect with Europe through Mangzhouli, Mongolia and the Bering Strait. We have made a comprehensive plan for building the belt and road pilot zone in Liaoning. And we have issued measures to support foreign investors setting up research and development centers in the province."

Liaoning has become a vital part of China's strategy to build an open and new economic environment.

Chen says they will continue to deepen institutional reform and create a competitive business environment for foreign direct investment.

Mark Fontes, CGTN, BEIJING.