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China Issues Guidelines
for Constructing the
Western Science City
By Giulia Interesse， Posted by China Briefing
Over the past few decades, China has been on a mission to set up
special economic zones throughout the country as a way to bolster
trade and development. Having set up the Chengdu-Chongqing
Economic Circle, Beijing recently issued the ‘Opinions on Further
Supporting the Accelerated Construction of the Western Science
City’, an initiative aimed at strengthening economic cooperation
and innovation between the two cities. It is hoped that this area will
grow into a domestic trade powerhouse by 2035.
Beijing has been making strides toward building a robust science and technology innovation ecosystem in
Western China. To further support this strategy, the central government recently issued a notice entitled
Opinions on Further Supporting the Accelerated Construction of the Western Science City (hereinafter
referred to as the ‘Opinions’).
The Opinions, jointly developed by several government agencies, aim to establish the Western Science City as
a nationally influential science and technology innovation center. Issued on March 31, 2023, the Opinions are
now being implemented by relevant government units.
In this article, we discuss the measures proposed in the document and explore the potential economic impact
on the region.
Introduction to the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle
The Chengdu-Chongqing Twin City will promote closer cooperation and coordination between the
two economically vibrant cities of Chengdu and Chongqing, both of which are in the west Chinese
province of Sichuan.
The Twin City policy was introduced in 2016 by China’s central government. The idea was that two cities in
a region could leverage each other’s strengths and reduce competition between them. This would promote
balanced and sustainable development as resources are deployed optimally.
The Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle (Economic Circle), proposed in 2021, intends to do just that:
establish a robust twin-city economic hub with unique characteristics by 2035.
3 AMCHAM SOUTH CHINA
China Issues Guidelines
for Constructing the
Western Science City
By Giulia Interesse， Posted by China Briefing
Over the past few decades, China has been on a mission to set up
special economic zones throughout the country as a way to bolster
trade and development. Having set up the Chengdu-Chongqing
Economic Circle, Beijing recently issued the ‘Opinions on Further
Supporting the Accelerated Construction of the Western Science
City’, an initiative aimed at strengthening economic cooperation
and innovation between the two cities. It is hoped that this area will
grow into a domestic trade powerhouse by 2035.
Beijing has been making strides toward building a robust science and technology innovation ecosystem in
Western China. To further support this strategy, the central government recently issued a notice entitled
Opinions on Further Supporting the Accelerated Construction of the Western Science City (hereinafter
referred to as the ‘Opinions’).
The Opinions, jointly developed by several government agencies, aim to establish the Western Science City as
a nationally influential science and technology innovation center. Issued on March 31, 2023, the Opinions are
now being implemented by relevant government units.
In this article, we discuss the measures proposed in the document and explore the potential economic impact
on the region.
Introduction to the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle
The Chengdu-Chongqing Twin City will promote closer cooperation and coordination between the
two economically vibrant cities of Chengdu and Chongqing, both of which are in the west Chinese
province of Sichuan.
The Twin City policy was introduced in 2016 by China’s central government. The idea was that two cities in
a region could leverage each other’s strengths and reduce competition between them. This would promote
balanced and sustainable development as resources are deployed optimally.
The Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle (Economic Circle), proposed in 2021, intends to do just that:
establish a robust twin-city economic hub with unique characteristics by 2035.
3 AMCHAM SOUTH CHINA
