Island emerges as marine equipment base
By Richard Fu |
October 26, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
EDITOR'S note:
AS Shanghai is shifting its growth gear toward a more sustainable model with an improved economic structure and environmentally friendly methods, the city's major state-owned enterprises are making their contributions to bolstering the local economy. Shanghai Daily runs a series on how SOEs of strategic significance in different sectors of the economy flex their muscles to thrive.
Once the home of a small village famous for its oranges, Changxing Island has taken shape as a major manufacturing base for marine equipment in a joint effort by Shanghai and several state owned companies.
But planners are taking a cautious approach to development though the industrial sector today accounts for the vast majority of the island's economic output. One reason is that Changxing also contains the Qingcaosha Reservoir, the major source of tap water for Shanghai.
"Industrial production and water source protection are somewhat contradictory, so a balance can only be achieved by regulation and the concept (of sustainable development)," said Wu Yi, vice director of the development office of Changxing Island, northeast of Shanghai's mainland between Chongming Island (County) and Pudong New Area.
"The aim is to make Changxing ideal for industrial manufacturing, habitation and as a water source," he said.
Economic output to rise
Over the years, several central government-administrated state-owned enterprises led by China State Shipbuilding Corp and China Communications Construction Co have set up bases along the southern shore, moving in tens of thousands of people and triggering an infrastructure construction boom.
Economic output on the 160-square-kilometer island totaled 47 billion yuan (US$7.5 billion) last year and that is expected to double in three to five years, according to official data.
At Changxing Shipbuilding Base, a unit of CSSC, output has been on the rise since operation started in May 2007. Last year the shipyard delivered 12 vessels with a combined carrying capacity of 3.01 million deadweight tons, its highest output and close to its designed annual capacity, despite a downturn in the global shipping industry, a yard official said.
The big companies' move to the island has brought both economic development and an improved lifestyle for local people.
As compensation for land acquired for development, high-quality residential complexes are being built for locals, and commercial facilities and other services are provided.
Wu from the development office said construction design and quality are high because planners don't want the developments to become run down "ghost towns" in the future.
"Usually one family can get more than one apartment as compensation for relocation. Nice apartments will make it easier for them to rent or sell spare units in the future," he said. "Out-of-town people may not be willing to move in if these residences are built only for resettling residents and this would be unsustainable.
"We hope life can become better for both older and young people in Changxing," Wu said.
Tunnel connection
The island is linked to Shanghai's mainland by a tunnel that was opened in 2009 with space set aside for a Metro line in the future.
A fishing port is also being built on Changxing Island. Hengsha port, Shanghai's only national tier-one fishing port approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, will handle fishing vessels, trade in fisheries products and catering businesses.
To date Hengsha port contains one 3,000-ton dock, which can accommodate two large oceangoing vessels, and three, 500-ton floating wharves, which can handle nine small coastal fishing vessels.
Together they can unload 120,000 tons of fisheries products annually.
Fresh seafood from the port can be available in Shanghai as early as 2014, an official in charge of the project said.
"Hopefully, we can have cheaper seafood at that time because now Shanghai relies on air transport for seafood such as salmon," he said.
AS Shanghai is shifting its growth gear toward a more sustainable model with an improved economic structure and environmentally friendly methods, the city's major state-owned enterprises are making their contributions to bolstering the local economy. Shanghai Daily runs a series on how SOEs of strategic significance in different sectors of the economy flex their muscles to thrive.
Once the home of a small village famous for its oranges, Changxing Island has taken shape as a major manufacturing base for marine equipment in a joint effort by Shanghai and several state owned companies.
But planners are taking a cautious approach to development though the industrial sector today accounts for the vast majority of the island's economic output. One reason is that Changxing also contains the Qingcaosha Reservoir, the major source of tap water for Shanghai.
"Industrial production and water source protection are somewhat contradictory, so a balance can only be achieved by regulation and the concept (of sustainable development)," said Wu Yi, vice director of the development office of Changxing Island, northeast of Shanghai's mainland between Chongming Island (County) and Pudong New Area.
"The aim is to make Changxing ideal for industrial manufacturing, habitation and as a water source," he said.
Economic output to rise
Over the years, several central government-administrated state-owned enterprises led by China State Shipbuilding Corp and China Communications Construction Co have set up bases along the southern shore, moving in tens of thousands of people and triggering an infrastructure construction boom.
Economic output on the 160-square-kilometer island totaled 47 billion yuan (US$7.5 billion) last year and that is expected to double in three to five years, according to official data.
At Changxing Shipbuilding Base, a unit of CSSC, output has been on the rise since operation started in May 2007. Last year the shipyard delivered 12 vessels with a combined carrying capacity of 3.01 million deadweight tons, its highest output and close to its designed annual capacity, despite a downturn in the global shipping industry, a yard official said.
The big companies' move to the island has brought both economic development and an improved lifestyle for local people.
As compensation for land acquired for development, high-quality residential complexes are being built for locals, and commercial facilities and other services are provided.
Wu from the development office said construction design and quality are high because planners don't want the developments to become run down "ghost towns" in the future.
"Usually one family can get more than one apartment as compensation for relocation. Nice apartments will make it easier for them to rent or sell spare units in the future," he said. "Out-of-town people may not be willing to move in if these residences are built only for resettling residents and this would be unsustainable.
"We hope life can become better for both older and young people in Changxing," Wu said.
Tunnel connection
The island is linked to Shanghai's mainland by a tunnel that was opened in 2009 with space set aside for a Metro line in the future.
A fishing port is also being built on Changxing Island. Hengsha port, Shanghai's only national tier-one fishing port approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, will handle fishing vessels, trade in fisheries products and catering businesses.
To date Hengsha port contains one 3,000-ton dock, which can accommodate two large oceangoing vessels, and three, 500-ton floating wharves, which can handle nine small coastal fishing vessels.
Together they can unload 120,000 tons of fisheries products annually.
Fresh seafood from the port can be available in Shanghai as early as 2014, an official in charge of the project said.
"Hopefully, we can have cheaper seafood at that time because now Shanghai relies on air transport for seafood such as salmon," he said.
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