22 kunshanspecial THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012 CHINA DAILY

An aerial view of , East China’s province PHOTOS PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY Kunshan in right place and time

By CANG WEI reached $129 million. rapid growth and success in [email protected] To attract more enterprises the future,” Huang said. “Th e to set up headquarters in Kun- government invests 6 percent Adjacent to in shan, the local government of the budget, about 1 billion East China’s Jiangsu province, also offered various policies, yuan, into research and its Kunshan is one of the most which have turned out to be application to promote techno- economically developed cities fruitful. logical innovation every year.” in China, topping the Forbes More than 20 world- Kunshan has topped the list China List of Best County-Lev- renowned enterprises have of the most innovative Chinese el Cities for three years in a row. located their headquarters in cities at the county level for fi ve It is also one of the country’s Kunshan. Thirty companies years in succession, according most attractive cities for tour- last year came to the city. Total to China’s Ministry of Science ists. registered capital of companies and Technology and the Chi- , an ancient water town in Kunshan, Jiangsu province Th e city’s GDP in the fi rst six Guan Aiguo, Party chief of Kunshan. GAO ERQIANG / CHINA DAILY headquartered in the city had nese Academy of Social Sci- months of this year hit 125 bil- reached 9.55 billion yuan by ences. lion yuan ($19.6 billion), and city’s publicity department. “It’s investors through every step, 2011. The city also puts great imports and exports totaled also along the Beijing-Shang- if needed. Th e city has so far attracted emphasis on education. It holds $39.9 billion, said Guan Aiguo, hai high-speed railway, which More companies have chosen more than 6,700 projects from six universities and cooperates Party chief of Kunshan. is very convenient for tourists to invest in Kunshan due to its 56 countries and regions, of with many famous domes- Town has storied “Kunshan’s GDP in 2011 and businesspersons.” various advantages, including which 83 have investments tic and overseas universities, reached 240 billion yuan, the local government’s service, from Fortune 500 companies. including Duke University, which surpassed those of Strategies, said Zhao. At the 2011 Kun- The Kunshan government Carnegie Mellon University, past, bright future several other provinces,” said advantages shan Modern Services Industry has focused on a thriving the Massachusetts Institute of Guan. Kunshan’s new strategies and Investment Seminar, 31 projects service sector and effective Technology, Tsinghua Univer- Revenues in its service advantages in financial ser- worth a total of 9.5 billion yuan industry restructuring as well sity, Peking University, and the By SONG WENWEI rials, and modern logistics. industry in 2011 reached 90 vices have also helped to spur were signed. achieving a well-balanced Chinese Academy of Sciences. [email protected] In addition to the industrial billion yuan, up 22.4 percent its continued rapid economic Foreign direct investment industrial structure. Kunshan is also known for park, a modern business logis- from 2010, and taxes paid growth, which was about 14 surged 45.4 percent to 646 Emerging industries, such as its livable environment, and Qiandeng, an ancient water tics center, a modern agricultural by service companies saw an percent higher than the previ- million yuan over the previ- electronic information, robots, attracts millions of foreign and town under the jurisdiction of park and a new town have been increase of 22.2 percent. ous year. ous year. industrial mold creation, bio- domestic tourists every year. Kunshan in , East China’s constructed for the purpose of According to Guan, by the “Th e effi ciency of the Kun- The financial sector of the logical research and renewable Zhouzhuang, a beautiful Jiangsu province, has a fresh look fully tapping the development end of the 12th Five-Year Plan shan government is well known city last year saw a 25 percent energy, are starting to develop water township nicknamed the now that highlights its tradition- potential of this ancient town. (2011-2015), Kunshan plans to throughout the country and increase in revenues, which hit rapidly in Kunshan. Venice of the East, is one of the al culture, natural beauty and With the aim of narrowing the double its GDP to 400 billion among those who are familiar 9.7 billion yuan, and 70 equity “Take the mold production most renowned scenic spots in prosperous economy. differences between the urban yuan (US$63.5 billion). with China’s investment envi- investment funds with about industry for example, more China and is known across the Formerly known as Qiandun, and rural areas and creating a Since the start of the five- ronment,” said Zhao Meng, 30 billion yuan under manage- than 800 companies (in this country for its delicate watery the town has a recorded history harmonious social environment, year plan, it has utilized for- assistant to the director of the ment started operation. industry) have operations in views. Th e exotic bridges and of over 2,500 years that dates Qiandeng, as one of the pilot eign capital totaling more than city’s Huaqiao International In 2011, the city govern- the city, and the sales of 34 of houses along the rivers impress back to the states of Wu and areas for comprehensive reform $19 billion and contributed 3 Service Business Park. ment took many initiatives to them have reached 50 million every visitor. Yue in the Spring and Autumn of rural-urban integration in the percent of China’s total trade “All the members of the expand the range of fi nancial yuan,” said Huang Jian, mem- Kunshan also has 26 forest Period (770-476BC). province, has been striving to volume each year. local government are devoted outsourcing services and stim- ber of the standing committee and wetland parks and a 44 per- In its long history, it has pro- achieve breakthroughs in the Th e city’s unique geographic to providing good service to ulate new forms of business of the city. cent urban green coverage rate. duced magnifi cent culture and development planning, living location contributes greatly to investors, even working dur- process outsourcing (BPO), as “In 2011 the sales of molds It was recognized with the UN many renowned literati. conditions, employment oppor- its rapid development. ing weekends and holidays,” fi nancial services outsourcing totaled 13.5 billion yuan, which Habitat Scroll of Honor Award It is the cradle of , a tunities and income increase, “It just takes about 15 min- said Zhao. has become more important to accounted for one-ninth of the for its excellent environmental local opera widely known and social security and public ser- utes to drive from Huaqiao, a Investing in Kunshan is easy the city’s development strategy. country’s production (in this quality in 2010. performed in China that is on vices to fully accelerate the inte- township of Kunshan, to Shang- and clear, with local govern- Revenues from domestic category),” Huang said. the list of World Oral and Intan- gration. hai’s Hongqiao airport,” said ment workers explaining the outsourcing grew 60.8 per- “The city’s capacity for Li Zhuoxuan contributed to gible Cultural Heritage. It is also In recent years, Qiandeng Yan An, deputy director of the process and accompanying cent and off shore outsourcing innovation is vital for its the story. the hometown of many ancient has turned a new leaf in terms scholars, such as , an of its infrastructure and social outstanding philosopher, writer services. In the new town, super- and patriotic scholar in the Ming markets, banks and big stores are Dynasty (1368-1644). Many found everywhere in the thriving people have been inspired by his streets, bringing convenience to Industrial parks driving development famous quote, “A man, humble people’s daily lives. Th ere is also as he is, shares the burden of col- a well functioning public service lective responsibility for the well- system consisting of administra- By CANG WEI al Service Business Park is a Transport Hub and 80 kilome- for the success of Cross-Strait Engineering Research Center being of the world”. tive services, healthcare, culture [email protected] provincial development zone ters from the Pudong Interna- (Kunshan) Trade Cooperation and Sense Technology and Today, it is making the best and sports facilities. specifi cally for developing the tional Airport. The distance Zone. Research Institute have settled use of its culture and tradition With its long history, profound Kunshan has established local modern service industry. from the park to Taicang Port, Th e trade cooperation zone, in the Kunshan Industrial Tech- and its favorable geographical culture and unique landscape, a series of industrial parks It is also a national demonstra- one of the fi rst four ports in the covering an area of 4.4 square nology Research Institute. location to build a “top town” the city has seen its tourism to attract more foreign and tion zone for business process country with direct shipping to kilometers, aims to develop Eighty professionals with characterized by continuous eco- industry grow rapidly in the past domestic investors and to outsourcing and a center for Taiwan, is only 35 kilometers. into a premier platform for doctoral degrees and 160 post- nomic development, ecological few years. Its abundant water- maintain the city’s sustainable high-tech services. Facilities in the business commodities from Taiwan graduates have come to work harmony, social stability and a ways, bridges and places of inter- development. Now the city has Th e Huaqiao International park include shopping malls, to the mainland with the fol- for the institute. happy life for its residents. ests, including the old residences constructed more than six key Service Business Park attracted five-star hotels, and sports lowing fi ve centers: a Taiwan Another park, the Kunshan To develop its economy, an of celebrities and ancient wind- industrial parks. 20 famous outsourcing enter- and entertainment facilities. commodity trade center for Tourism and Holiday Zone, industrial park of 35 square kilo- ing stone-slab streets, all bear “The services available to prises in 2011 and is playing A Hilton hotel, a state-of-the- the retail and wholesale of brings in most of the city’s meters has been constructed in witness to its glorious history. investors in Kunshan are the an increasingly important role art training center and a the- Taiwan’s commodities; a com- tourism revenue. the northern part of the town People have given very roman- best they can acquire in China,” in the city’s economy. ater are already operational. modity exhibition center; a dis- In addition to Zhouzhuang with six industrial bases, includ- tic and poetic descriptions of said Guan Aiguo, Party chief Th e park has a very favorable An international school, a tribution center and a customs and Qiandeng, two ancient ing the automotive components Qiandeng. Some liken the town of Kunshan. “We clearly know geographical location. Only convention center, a hospital bonded logistics center pro- towns famous for their pictur- and equipment manufacturing, to a violin because it conveys the that favorable fi nancial services one hour’s drive from Shang- with the world’s most advanced viding bonded storage services esque landscapes and unique semiconductor packaging and beauty of traditional Chinese for investors will continue to be hai, it is an important terminal facilities and an entertainment and a comprehensive service culture, the Kunqu opera also testing, LED optoelectronics opera. Others compare it to a a key driving force for the city’s along the Shanghai- center are also currently being center. appeals greatly to Chinese and and medical devices, special cir- book that captures the ideas and growth.” expressway. It is 20 kilometers built there. Th e zone attempts to become foreign tourists. With about cuit boards and fi ne chemicals. sentiments of the nation’s forefa- The Huaqiao Internation- from Shanghai’s Hongqiao Known as “little Taipei”, a pilot project where prefer- 17 million tourists from home Altogether 3,200 domestic and thers but also serves as a reposi- Kunshan is home to many Tai- ential policies are provided to and abroad in 2011, the zone foreign-funded enterprises have tory of the culture and intelli- wan-invested businesses. With boost economic ties between generated 18 billion yuan in invested in the park, of which 38 gence of its people. preferential policies put for- the mainland and Taiwan. revenue. are foreign funded. In recent years, the develop- ward by the Chinese mainland The Kunshan Industrial Th e Kunshan Comprehen- Statistics show that in 2011, ment of modern agriculture has and Taiwan, the Cross-Strait Technology Research Insti- sive Free Trade Zone, a home the town’s GDP reached $10.8 added momentum to Qiandeng’s (Kunshan) Trade Cooperation tute is an independent legal to logistics and manufacturing billion and the major economic overall social and economic Zone was planned as part of entity established by the local companies, attracted 31 new indices have maintained a dou- development. It has adopted the Huaqiao International Ser- government. In 2010, it was companies in 2011. It off ered ble-digit growth rate for years. advanced agricultural concepts vice Business Park. recognized as the only one of bonded logistics services for It is planned that in the next and made great eff orts to coop- Th e city now has more than the comprehensive industrial 440 billion yuan worth of car- five years, more efforts will be erate with some famous colleges 3,800 Taiwan-invested proj- technology research institute go last year, and its revenues made to develop the emerg- and research institutes to build ects, which have a total regis- in Jiangsu province. reached 640 million yuan. ing industries, with the hope of the Datang Ecological Park and tered capital of $21 billion. Th e It aims to lead the cluster of Th e Kunshan Soft ware Park increasing the output value by the Flower Expo Park. total overseas investment is $45 emerging industries, and serve is home to a variety of com- 40 percent by 2015. More pol- Qiandeng is moving forward billion. innovation of small and medi- panies, which are involved in icy support will be directed to with the times while keeping its Th e Huaqiao International um-sized enterprises. e-commerce, design, gaming, the development of financing, traditional roots, thereby merg- Service Business Park, focus- The siRNA Biotechnology animation and audio-video resources, semiconductor pack- ing tradition with modernity. The Huaqiao International Service Business Park is home to ing on service outsourcing, Research Institute, the New services. The resident com- aging and testing, automotive many regional headquarters of international and domestic logistics and trade business, Panel Display Technology panies generated 780 million components and equipment, Li Zhuoxuan contributed to the companies. provides a solid foundation Center, the Intelligent Robot yuan in sales revenue. medical equipment, new mate- story.