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Government Leaders, Experts and Entrepreneurs Addressed at the International Academic Symposium on "City Group Development Model"

2009-12-04 Download Print

 

On the morning of Dec. 3, the International Academic Symposium on "City Group Development Model" was held in Changsha, Hunan, with nearly 400 renowned experts, political leaders, entrepreneurs, etc. from over 13 countries including China, America and the UK attending it.


  City Cluster


  Hunan enters the period of accelerated urbanization


  Zhang Chunxian

  secretary of the Hunan Provincial CPC Committee and director of the Standing Committee of Hunan Provincial People's Congress


  Secretary Zhang Chunxian addressed at the symposium that this symposium, revolving around the theme of “the city cluster development model”, is of great significance to propelling the sustainable development of city cluster as well as the solution of problems accompanying urbanization in the areas of resource & energy, ecological environment, and economic development model.


  As Zhang said, the accelerated construction of a resource-conserving and environment- friendly society, a low-carbon city cluster, is a systematic project, a profound reform and global subject. It is a must to build up the corresponding economic structure, energy structure, industrial structure and mode of production and life, draw upon the wisdom and experience of various sides. It is hoped that through this symposium, the achievements and experience scored and gained by the experts and scholars at home and abroad in the field of city cluster research and practice will be shared, and the exchange and cooperation between Hunan and other sides in urban planning, city construction and management, etc. could be constantly strengthened.


  To pursue green GDP and build modernized green city cluster

 

  deputy secretary of Hunan Provincial CPC Committee and governor of Hunan province


  Governor Zhou Qiang stated at the symposium that in order to propel the construction of the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan (CZT) city cluster, it is very necessary to insist on shifting the mode, adjusting the structure, boosting the economy and pursuing harmony; and it is important to highlight the concept of “green development” and the green development index. As he said, the adherence to green development and the production of green GDP are unremitting pursuits of the construction and reform in the CZT city cluster, and the vigorous acceleration of developing the “Two-oriented (resource-conserving and environment-friendly) industries” to meet various demands of markets has become an essential requirement and top priority in constructing the “Two-oriented society” and pursuing green GDP.


  Governor Zhou also emphasized that the pursuit of green GDP should involve the whole society into it and put people first (people-oriented), so as to strive for a culture featuring the green development concept, green production and green consumption, thus to propel the “Two-oriented society” construction in an all-around way and build a green and modernized city cluster in Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan.


  The housing price in Changsha should never follow in Beijing and Shanghai’s footsteps


  Xie Li’an

  director of the North Carolina China Center in the U.S.


  To construct the low-carbon city cluster in Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan is to pioneer a new way for others’ reference. In order to lead the development of the “Two-oriented Society”, the all-important thing is to attract talented personnel, so as to promote industrial innovation via knowledge innovation.


  To attract talents, proper posts and funds are necessary on the one hand; on the other hand, what is the most important is to provide the talented personnel with livable environment. Changsha was recently ranked as one of the “Top 10 Cities with the Most Sense of Happiness”. The major contributor to this honor is the relatively reasonable housing price here, which doesn’t cause too heavy pressure on Changsha citizens. Therefore, when expanding development, more attention should be paid on controlling the housing price to ensure that it never follows in Beijing and Shanghai’s footsteps. What we have to focus on is to make citizens feel happy.


  System of Organization


  Economic development must rely on the improvement in economic and political structure


  Hou Yunchun

  vice president (vice minister) of DRC (Council Development Research Center)


  At present, Hunan has reached agreements on “Two-Oriented Society” construction in Chang-Zhu-Tan city cluster with 20 odd National Ministries, such as Ministry of Education, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Land and Resources, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Health.


  It is true that economic development must rely on the improvement in economic and political structure. It is the economic and political structure that determines all the advantages.


  Government should well define its responsibilities in economic development, with improving the environment and maintaining social stability as its top priority. And economic development must mainly depend on the efforts of non-governmental forces; the Government should not interfere too much.


  Low Carbon Economy


  Developing Low Carbon Economy for the Sake of Hunan’s Overtaking around the Curve


  Wang yijiang

  tenured Professor, University of Minnesota, U.S. & Professor, School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University


  Those who have grasped the initiative chance in low carbon economy, set the standard for low carbon technology and successfully undergone the industry restructuring will seize the initiative for development. Low carbon economy has become a new hot topic of international problems. Thus the proposal for developing a low carbon city cluster raised by Chang-Zhu-Tan city cluster is absolutely right as developing low carbon economy contributes to Hunan’s overtaking around the curve.


  As Hunan has no traditional industrial base and less competitiveness in traditional industries, it must make every effort to develop new industries and advanced service sectors. Therefore attention should be paid to developing recycle economy, building low carbon transportation and fostering ecological civilization.


  Hunan Possesses the Basis for Low-Carbon Economy Development


  Li Guansheng

  director of Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Experts Office of Hunan


  The construction of Low-carbon cities covers low-carbon production and low-carbon consumption. As the major city of the City Cluster, Changsha possesses distinct advantages focusing on solving these problems. As to the low-carbon consumption, Changsha’s green and economic views of live-style and consuming have already taken sharp. Reforms on advocating energy conservation and saving are being pushed forward. For instance, since July of this year, restaurants and hotels have practiced the paid use of “Seven Easy Pieces” and other actions. All these have provided an ideal foundation for Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan to set up a low-carbon city cluster.


  This September, Hunan’s first research institute focusing on the development of low-carbon economy, Low-Carbon Economy and Social Development Research Institute of Hunan University was officially established. It has offered potent support theoretically and technologically for the development of low-carbon economy and the construction of low-carbon city in Changsha.


  Urban Circle


  Changsha City Cluster should contain 18 cities locating in the immense plain areas


  Wang Jian

   secretary-general of China's Macroeconomic Association


  At present, Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan City Cluster have gained more than 40% of the total economy of Hunan Province which is reaching 80 bln US Dollars. And the City Cluster has entered the initial stage of merging into a larger city cluster. But in the long run, based on the natural population growth rate, if the population reaches to 70 million within the future 20 years, the immense plain area between Changsha and Changde should form a large-scale city cluster. At that time, the population of this area will account for 70% of the provincial population, and its GDP will constitute more than 85% of that of the province.


  I consider that Changsha City Cluster should involve 18 counties or cities, including Changsha, Hengyang, Changde, Zhuzhou, Xiangtan, Yiyang, Loudi, Pingxiang, Leiyang, Lianyuan, Yuanjiang, Liling, Wugang, Liuyang, Hanshou, Anhua and Longhui, etc. This will benefit the planning and development of Hunan.


  Chang-Zhu-Tan Citizens’ Registered Residence Should be Integrated


  Zhou Gagng

  general manager of America Changjiang Shawang Investment Group; Overseas Special Member of the Council of Hunan European and American Alumni Society


  It is required to share the same transportation network, the same energy source, the similar information channel, to build a harmonious ecological society, and to tackle the environmental problems together if Chang-Zhu-Tan realized its integration mechanism. The citizens in Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan cities should have the same registered residence. More importantly, the opportunities for the public to enjoy public services should be the same, and the standards of services should be fair to everyone. Considering the factor of floating population, it is quite necessary to make the corresponding residence policy in Chang-Zhu-Tan areas with an open mind.


  The concept of citizenship can be adopted in the future. It means that those who have lived in the tree cities for a certain period can register as city citizens.

 

 

 

  Zhou Qiang