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E-mail China.org.cn, April 19, 2024
Chen Wenjun:
Thank you, Mr. Zhao. Now the floor is open for questions. Please state the name of the media outlet you work for before asking your questions.
CCTV:
This year marks another significant milestone in comprehensively deepening reforms. Fujian has been at the forefront in reform and opening-up. As such, what new measures are you taking in deepening reforms and expanding opening-up this year? Thank you.
Zhao Long:
Thank you for your question. I will answer this.
It is well-known that before reform and opening-up, Fujian province ranked eighth from bottom nationwide in terms of total economic output, suffering from weak foundations and insufficient development. However, after the initiation of the reform and opening-up policy, the central government granted us pioneering policies. The Fujian people, known for their indomitable spirit, diligence and courage, seized the momentum of reform and opening-up to transform the province from a relatively backward region into a thriving economic hub, where citizens enjoy prosperous lives and robust international engagements. Fujian has thus become a blessed land. As I mentioned earlier, the province's total economic output has surged to eighth place nationwide, and our per capita GDP ranks fourth in the country. We have also explored a path of high-quality development. Throughout this journey, innovative practices stemming from reform and opening-up have served as the most potent driving force. I would also like to share with you the story of the "Jinjiang Experience" here.
In the early 1980s, Jinjiang locals were known for their motto "Love to compete and will win, losing gracefully, and smiling in defeat." They kick-started their entrepreneurial endeavors with the help of the "three supplies and one compensation" trade modes, namely, processing with supplied materials, processing according to supplied samples, assembling with supplied parts, and compensation trade, with numerous enterprises emerging like mushrooms after rain. This spurred rapid development in the private sector economy. During his tenure in Fujian, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Jinjiang seven times in six years, personally summarizing and refining the "Jinjiang Experience." This amalgamation of people's pioneering spirit with a systematic understanding of reform and specific deployment requirements became the "golden key" that guided Jinjiang and even the entire Fujian toward high-quality development. In today's Jinjiang, there is one entrepreneur for every seven individuals, and one enterprise for every 21 people. Although Jinjiang constitutes only 1/200 of the land area of Fujian, it contributes 1/16 of the province's total economic output, building itself into a renowned hub of brands at home and abroad. Many well-known brands, such as Anta, 361 Degrees and Xtep in sports, as well as Hengan Group , Panpan Foods and clothing firm Septwolves , all originate from Jinjiang. Without the reform and opening-up policies, Jinjiang's present-day achievements would have been unimaginable.
In Fujian, there are many similar stories, such as the calls for loosening restrictions and delegating power, the forestry reforms in Wuping, the healthcare reforms in Sanming, and the deployment of science and technology experts. It can be said that Fujian's current development and achievements are due to reform and opening-up, and its future prospects and hopes also rely on this policy. Moving forward, we will continue to adhere to the principles of uninterrupted reform and continued opening-up, consistently deepening the process of reform and opening-up. Specifically, we will focus on the following two aspects:
In terms of reform, we will focus on four main areas. First, we will address key issues in ideological understanding, promoting the spirit of pioneering and striving for success, and continuing to use the spirit, mindset and measures of reform to solve problems and drive development. Second, we will focus on key areas of reform, including market-oriented allocation of production factors, state-owned assets and enterprises, fiscal, taxation and financial systems, and the transformation of green resources. Third, we will grasp key links, particularly in balancing between the objectives and means of reform, between eradicating the old and establishing the new, between higher authorities and local development, and between the definition of what's right and what's wrong, continuously removing institutional barriers that hinder high-quality development, ensuring the government effectively balances the interests of multiple parties, and allowing the market to play its role with more vitality. Fourth, we will highlight Fujian's characteristics, continuously deepening reforms in areas such as healthcare, forestry and the deployment of science and technology experts, striving to offer more of Fujian's experiences to the rest of the country.
In terms of opening-up, we will focus on three areas. The first is going global and extending a warm welcome. We will better leverage domestic and international markets and resources and conduct the "Invest in Fujian" global investment attraction event. By intensifying efforts to attract foreign investment, we aim to expand further into markets in ASEAN, Europe, and emerging economies, making foreign capital and enterprises eager to come, stay and thrive. The second area involves proactively aligning with the country's major regional strategies. Our statistics show that Fujian's trade with the Yangtze River Delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area accounts for more than 55% of its inter-provincial trade. Given our proximity and connectivity to these two major economic regions, we will enhance coordination and collaboration with them. For example, we plan to improve efficient transportation networks, facilitate the sharing of innovative resources, optimize the mechanism for industrial alignment, and promote the integrated development of culture and tourism, striving to achieve seamless connectivity. The third area is leveraging the advantages of overseas Chinese. As 15.8 million overseas Chinese originate from Fujian, there is a saying: "Wherever there is sunlight and seawater, Fujian people are working hard." Since the launch of reform and opening-up in 1978, the vast number of Fujian people overseas have shown patriotism, love for their hometowns, dedication to success, integrity, and philanthropy, making indispensable contributions to the development and progress of Fujian. We will always remember and keep this in our hearts. Today, we will vigorously implement the Fujian Business Return Project, providing more convenience for overseas Fujian people to invest in Fujian and promoting the convergence of more resources and production factors in Fujian, thus achieving win-win development featuring mutual benefits.
That's all for my introduction. Thank you.
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