China Knowledge- Focus on Chengdu
Chengdu is definitely an attractive location in inland China. Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province with a population of 12 million, is well positioned as a vital hub to access other provinces and cities in Central and Western China. In a recent research and survey by the state media, Chengdu ranked among the top out of 40 selected cities. Thanks to the city's clean and green environment, it scored the highest in terms of living standards.
Chengdu has been recognized as “an important central city in Southwest China” by the State Council since 1999. As a political and economic center in Western China, Chengdu has attracted the U.S., Germany, U.K., France, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Pakistan to set up consulates. Currently, Chengdu ranks the third by the number of foreign consulates, next only to Shanghai and Guangzhou. To develop closer relationship with international society, Chengdu has established the “friend-city” ties with 11 foreign cities from the U.S., Canada, France, Sweden, Japan, South Korea and so forth. Also, Chengdu is a “friend-city” with other 19 Chinese cities.
Its civilization of over 3,000 years left Chengdu with various cultural heritage. Chengdu is one of the first 24 famous historical and cultural cities in China rated by the State Council and awarded the Best Tourism City in China by World Tourism Organization and China National Tourism Administration. Besides the renowned scenic spots inside the city, Chengdu is also the gateway to a number of world cultural and natural heritage in the neighborhood.
Supported by the opening-up policy and the strategy of “developing the western region” of the Chinese government, Chengdu has been experiencing rapid economic growth. In 2006, Chengdu’s GDP reached RMB 275 billion, up 13.8% from 2005. Its retail sales reached RMB 115.5 billion, 14.9% higher than 2005.
Unlike some other cities, to develop the economy at the expense of the environment, Chengdu has made many efforts to balance the economic development and environmental protection. The Funan River restoration project was granted the Habitat Scroll of Honor awarded by the United Nations in 1998. Just 8 years later, Chengdu’s another integrated river program - Sha River restoration project was awarded the 2006 International Thiess River prize for excellence in river management. To improve the living environment for local people, Chengdu has moved its factory clusters in eastern part of the city which cause serious pollution out of the downtown in an industrial structural reform
Chengdu’s favorable policies, vast consumer market, low-cost labor sources as well as the pleasant living conditions have made it a good choice for more overseas investors when seeking business opportunities in the Chinese market other than Beijing and Shanghai.