In the 1990s, General Secretary Xi Jinping drew a grand cross-century blueprint for Fuzhou to build a modern international city. Over the past year,  insisting on implementing the guiding principles of the important speech given by General Secretary Xi Jinping during his inspection tour in Fujian in March, 2021, Fuzhou has striven to build itself into a larger and stronger capital city of Fujian province, and made new progress in building a modern international city.

The international accessibility of Fuzhou’s seaports and airports is constantly improving. The city, by leveraging its advantages in seaports and airports, is building Fuzhou (Changle) International Airport Town, Maritime Silk Road Seaport Town, and Modern Logistics Town with high standards. Last year, Fuzhou was selected as one of the first national logistics hubs during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period(2021-2025), with its port throughput remaining the first in Fujian province.

A large number of new cars are parked in the parking lot of the vehicle factory of Fujian Benz Automobile Co.,Ltd. Photo by Lin Shuangwei

The global presence of Fuzhou’s leading industries is continuously expanding. For example, Fujian Fran Optics Co., Ltd. covers a global market share of over 70%, ranking first in the world. Fujian Shenyuan New Materials Co., Ltd. has become the world's largest caprolactam production base... Fuzhou’s enterprises have impressed the world, thanks to the city’s relentless efforts in expanding its participation in the international industrial division of labor, cultivating the international brands of Maritime Fuzhou, Digital Fuzhou, New Materials, etc, and building an industrial system with international influence.

The JD "Asia One" Fuzhou Changle Logistics Park. Photo by Chi Yuan

The international competitiveness of foreign trade has been effectively enhanced. Fuzhou has been proactively promoting economic and trade cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road, and also continuously expanded two-way investment and trade with countries and regions along the Maritime Silk Road. In 2021, Fuzhou Pilot Free Trade Zone debuted at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade, and the China-Indonesia Cooperation on “Two Countries, Twin Parks” projects called for global investment for the first time. At present, Fuzhou New Area and Fuzhou Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone are becoming important windows for opening-up and cooperation with the outside world, leading Fuzhou to becoming an international city in all aspects.

The Mindu culture and Fuzhou’s exchanges with  its friendship cities shows unique charm in their international influence. Over the past year, Fuzhou has established friendship city relations with Honolulu, the United States and Halong, Vietnam. Meanwhile, Fuzhou held the Extended 44th Session of the World Heritage Committee, the 4th Digital China Summit, the 8th Silk Road International Film Festival, the 7th International Tourism Festival of the Silk Road and other international events in succession. Moreover, the city continuously promoted its special cultural brands, including Ancient Houses, Capital of Hot Springs, Min Cuisine and Jasmine Flowers...All of these has made Fuzhou Fuzhou has now become a city with both international style and traditional appeal.

The core section of “Heart of Minjiang” Riverside Pedestrian Street. Photo by Lin Shuangwei

The international appeal of Fuzhou’s urban development and business environment have risen significantly. Over the past year, Fuzhou has been gradually establishing education, health, elderly care and foreign affairs service systems that meet international demands, exploring to create international communities with multicultural diversity. Efforts were also made in streamlining the government, delegating power, improving government services, and rolling out the 4.0 version of business environment reform policies. Fuzhou took the lead in the country in registering the right of residence, and has been listed as a benchmark city in the field of property registration for two consecutive years.

International friends sang and danced at an immersive culture show called “The Night of the Maritime Silk Road” at the the 7th “Maritime Silk Road” (Fuzhou) International Tourism Festival at Shangxiahang Historical and Cultural District. Photo by Zheng Shuai

Source:Fuzhou Daily(excerpts)