Chengdu's story of reform and opening-up

World
Europe

Forty years ago, the reform and opening-up policy was carried out in China's coastal regions. Chengdu, as a major southwest inland city, caught up quickly by promoting economic development, industrial upgrading and international trade. Chengdu, the birthplace of Ba-Shu culture from the Three Kingdoms period (220-280), has grown into a hub for economic, tech, cultural and foreign exchanges in western China.

Professor Yang Jirui, president of Chengdu Association of Social Sciences, pointed out that although Chengdu is an inland city that's neither close to the sea nor a border, it has achieved great development over the last few decades.

Yang said Chengdu's success is inseparable from the development of the whole country and the progress of the reform and opening-up. The construction of high-speed rail, the large scope of the market and the military-civilian integration add momentum to the development of the region.

It is home to the Center for China-Europe Cooperation and a hub for 10 China-Europe railway lines and for China-Europe communication and collaboration.

Katarzyna Wilkowiecka, Polish consul general in Chengdu, stated that setting up the third Polish consulate in China in the city shows the importance of western China to China-Poland political, cultural and economic ties.

She also mentioned that the 16+1 Initiative promotes bilateral and EU-China relations, as well as regional relations. The cooperation between Sichuan Province, of which Chengdu is the capital, and Polish regions has set a great example of regional cooperation on the lower level.

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Dr Jason Logan from Global Doctor Chengdu Clinic shared his experience as a resident in Chengdu for 10 years. He highlighted the fast yet smooth pace of growth of local infrastructure and transportation.

“Even located in the hinterland of China, Chengdu, or at least the people here don't feel isolated or confined,” added Jo Yang from Chengdu Municipal Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office who was born and raised in the city.

Jo pointed out that over 100 air routes and China-Europe express railway lines help Chengdu become more connected with the rest of the world and bring in more goods, people and capital.

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