With more global conversations, Guangzhou plays a bigger role in China's opening-up

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BEIJING, March 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 25th, the Information Office of Guangzhou Municipal People's Government hosted a Round Table for "Global Conversations between Guangzhou and the World," under the China Development Forum 2018 held in Beijing, attracting many political or business leaders, experts and world-renowned media to a heated discussion on how Guangzhou will better engage with the world in its future development.

Wen Guohui, Mayor of Guangzhou, told the attendees about the history of this millennia-old commercial city. Looking forward, it's turning into a truly world-class city of greater appeal and vitality through a host of action plans, including optimized strategic planning, in-depth participation in both the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a strengthened role as a hub of aviation, shipping and technological innovation, enhanced innovation-driven growth, and a better physical and business environment.

"The development of the Greater Bay Area calls for coordination and all-round consideration. In fact, regional coordination is crucial," said Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Prize laureate in economics. He added that to transform a city requires powerful guidance and assistance from the government, citing Guangzhou's impressive transformation into a vibrant city in the 40 years of reform and opening-up. Guangzhou has been committed to making it a most livable city with its critical efforts in urban design and infrastructure, said Stiglitz.

With more extensive ties with the rest of the world and stronger connectivity and collaboration, a city better attracts, distributes and shares global high-end resources. Through major international events at home and abroad to have its voice heard across the world, Guangzhou has facilitated the continuous innovation and transformation of the city.

"New economy is based on innovation and creativity, rather than mere industry or hard work," emphasized John Flint, Group Chief Executive of HSBC Holdings. He added that HSBC took a panorama of Guangzhou on the cover of its 2017 Annual Report in recognition that Guangzhou epitomizes a new China and new economy.

"Active and sustained external communication can help keep the rest of the world updated about Guangzhou and China," said Ms. Li Jia, Director of China at the Wall Street Journal.

According to Liu Qian, Managing Director of Greater China at The Economist Group, the best way of external communication by Guangzhou, as seen among the world-class cities, is to participate in influential international events or to have such world events held in Guangzhou. 

In their view, Guangzhou represents Chinese cities in the new wave of global conversations. With increasing global industrial competition, the image of a city has become an important factor in attracting mid- to high-end industries and innovative professionals in science and technology. More and more Chinese cities have already been making conscious efforts in promoting their global image.

It remains a big challenge for many cities in China, though, to carry out in-depth exchanges between different cultures, to reach mutual understanding and tolerance, and to attain inter-connectivity in human and other resources. In this regard, what Guangzhou has been doing in its development has not only sparked that heated discussion among the Round Table attendees but also provides valuable experience for many other Chinese cities, with the same global aspirations as Guangzhou, to draw upon.

SOURCE The Information Office of Guangzhou Municipal People's Government