Kunshan: China's No.1 county-level economy
- By Lin Liyao
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E-mail China.org.cn, June 17, 2016
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Zhang Yuelin, deputy secretary of the Kunshan Municipal CPC Committee, gives a speech during a symposium with foreign students from the International Masters of Business Administration program on June 15, 2016, in Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province. [Photo/China.org.cn] |
The third stage extended from 1997 to 2002, during which the city's industry changed from fragmentation to clustering. Since 2002, Kunshan began to expand its innovative-lead economy; the products manufactured in its EDZs contain high value. After 2011, service industry surpassed manufacturing becoming the largest industries in Kunshan, assuring a successful adjustment of economic structure in the city.
The main driver of Kunshan's economy in the past 25 years has been EDZs. Zhang said that the EDZs, which only occupy one third of the city's land area, contribute two thirds of its GDP and four fifths of its imports and exports.
Zhang said, "Different from development zones in other cities, Kunshan's EDZs focus on four fields, namely, high-technology, emerging industries, modern services and tourism. Most enterprises in the zone concentrate on electronics, IT, modern equipment, renewable energy, biotechnology, logistics, eco-environment and finance."
Currently, there are more than 8,000 foreign companies located in Kunshan's EDZs. Overseas investors come from 56 different countries and regions, and business partners come from scattered places around the world.
In addition to economic construction, the Kunshan local government also pays high attention to social development. Zhang said that public transport network links all the areas in the city and connects Kunshan with Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou and Zhejiang Province.
Basic health insurance and supplemental critical illness insurance have covered both urban and rural residents. Last year, the average life expectancy in the city reached 83.47 years, seven years longer than the average level of the country.
Zhang said, "Although Kunshan is already a well-off society, entering a 'new normal' of economic development, there are still a large number of new challenges in front of us, such as our heavy dependence on exports, manufacturing on the low end of the value ladder, a lack of innovation and resource constraints."
"However, relying on our highly efficient local government and diligent people, I'm sure that we will realize Kunshan's dream as well as the Chinese dream in the near future," said Zhang at the end of the symposium.
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