Qiu Dongyao: Ningbo to contribute to formulating new pattern of opening-up

The Zhejiang delegation to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) held a panel discussion open to the media on March 8, 2018 in Beijing.

A total of 112 reporters from 73 media outlets across the world covered the event and interviewed the deputies.

Qiu Dongyao, mayor of Ningbo answered questions from the media on the Government Work Report and Zhejiang's development.

Qiu Dongyao, deputy to the 13th National People's Congress, mayor of Ningbo and deputy secretary of Ningbo Municipal Committee of the CPC

Ningbo to contribute to formulating a new pattern of opening-up

Answering a reporter's question about Ningbo's measures to echo with the national strategy of formulating a new pattern of opening-up, Qiu noted that Ningbo will take advantage of the ports' growing sway to build itself into a famous port city and push forward further opening-up.

Qiu said, "Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, the world's first to have a total throughput of 1 billion tons in a single year, has opened over 200 international sea routes linking more than 600 harbors around the world. The port's cargo throughput hit 1.01 billion tons in 2017, up 9.5 percent year-on-year, taking the leading role in the global market for nine consecutive years."

In the future, Ningbo will step up efforts to foster port logistics service and strengthen advanced industry to become a model city for "Made in China 2025." With focus on digital economy and smart manufacturing, Ningbo also aims to build a world-class industrial cluster for advanced manufacturing with global influence and competitiveness. Meanwhile, Ningbo will develop platforms for port industry, including construction of industry and innovation platforms in Hangzhou Bay.

In addition, Ningbo plans to establish itself as a pioneer for "Belt and Road" construction and help Ningbo-Zhoushan become a "comprehensive modern port". It will also strengthen port service for convenience of investment and trading, and build higher-level open platforms, according to Qiu.