Zone looks forward to robust development
Print Edition
HANGZHOU Bay New Zone, an industrial development district in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, hopes to build itself into one of the most livable and economically vibrant areas in east China.
Facing Hangzhou Bay to the north, the zone includes a host of booming industries, including automobile production and assembly, export processing and high-end manufacturing.
Despite of signs of slowness in China’s broader economy, the zone boasts robust growth momentum. Last year, its total industrial output rose 32.5 percent year-on-year to 105.8 billion yuan (US$17.1 billion), while fiscal revenue surged 58.1 percent to 6.5 billion yuan.
“The zone has become a new growth area for Ningbo,” said Wang Cheng, deputy director of the zone’s administration committee.
Wang told Shanghai Daily on the sidelines of the 17th China Zhejiang Investment and Trade Symposium last week that the zone hopes to double the size of its economy every three years between 2010 and 2018.
This target was realized in the first three years of this period, and is on track to being achieved again for the second three-year increment, said Wang.
The opening of the Hangzhou Bay Bridge in 2008 cut travel time between Ningbo and Shanghai from four hours to about two hours. It has also greatly boosted exchanges of goods, information and human resources between the zone and neighboring cities. The zone is also close to the major deep-water ports of Shanghai and Ningbo.
“Geographical advantages, relatively lower costs compared to Shanghai and a mature manufacturing sector have boosted the zone’s attractiveness to investors,” Wang said.
With several major carmakers and auto parts suppliers already operating there, the zone is expected to become an influential automobile industry base.
The zone is now home to assembly plants for Shanghai Volkswagen and Geely Automobile Holdings as well as more than 100 internationally renowned auto parts manufactures, including Yazaki Corp and Mando Corp.
The zone also plans to contribute to the development of China’s general aviation industry by driving aircraft manufacturing and related services sectors, said Wang, adding that these plans will complement efforts to turn Shanghai into a hub of civil aviation.
Earlier this year, the Zhejiang Development and Reform Commission approved plans to build an airport in the zone, which is expected to begin operation in 2017. The facility will be used to test new aircraft while also supporting tourism and emergency rescue operations.
Cultural and leisure industries would also contribute to the zone’s future development.
Wang said three theme-parks were under construction in the zone. These parks, he said, would provide visitors with unique experiences related to the past, present and future of China.
Constructed by Shenzhen Huaqiang Group, park facilities will include an eight-story-tall screen with an inverted track designed to simulate the experience of flying over landmarks along the Yellow River.
One of the parks, named Tale of the East, will open to tourists on October 1, Wang said.
In addition to promoting industry and economic development, the zone is also contributing to urbanization and improving the living standards of residents.
A 1.5-billion-yuan hospital is being built in the zone, said Wang. Several schools, including an affiliate of Zhenhai Middle School, have also opened in the zone, he added.
“We have seen an increase in the number of people working and living there,” Wang said, “Ensuring the integration of industries, urban facilities and people is key for the Hangzhou Bay New Zone as it transforms into an international urban area.”
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