Guangming Daily:
We understand that Hunan is currently promoting the integrated development of Changsha, Zhuzhou, and Xiangtan. Could you please share the experiences gained during this process and the next steps to be taken? Thank you.
Mao Weiming:
I'll let my colleague, Mr. Huang Donghong, director of the Hunan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, answer this question.
Huang Donghong:
The integrated development of Changsha, Zhuzhou, and Xiangtan is a major strategic initiative consistently promoted by successive provincial committees and governments in Hunan. Through nearly 30 years of innovative practices, it has paved a new path for regional integration and development.
In terms of public service integration, residents can access medical services in public hospitals using a single card and 202 types of electronic licenses are now mutually recognized across the region. Additionally, 149 government service items can now be processed online and across cities.
Regarding transport connectivity, we have built 233.1 kilometers of rail transit and increased the frequency of operations, with intervals between departures from Changsha to Zhuzhou and Xiangtan being only 18 minutes. Eight major integrated urban roads have been completed, facilitating railway connections in the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan region.
In terms of industrial innovation collaboration, we have four national advanced manufacturing clusters in engineering machinery, advanced rail transit equipment, new-generation independent secure computing systems, and small to medium-sized aircraft engines, forming the "Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan phenomenon of independent innovation."
To promote green ecological transformation, an area of 528 square kilometers has been designated to establish the largest urban "green heart" in the world, the earliest national initiative of its kind. We have developed a green heart protection system supported by local regulations, comprehensive planning, and project access methods. As a result, forest coverage in the green heart has increased by nearly 10 percentage points.
To enhance the city's attractiveness, we have deepened the integration of culture and tourism, transforming Changsha into an internet-famous city with a unique charm that blends history and modernity. During the May Day holiday, the 838-meter-long Huangxing Road Pedestrian Street saw an average daily foot traffic of 1.1 million people.
Looking ahead, our focus will be on the following aspects:
Accelerating the renewal and innovation of industries. We will expand and strengthen national advanced manufacturing clusters, develop new quality productive forces based on local conditions, and establish a pioneering zone for future industries by focusing on integrating culture and technology, intelligent computing, and the low-altitude economy.
Advancing the upgrading and enhancement of innovation. We will actively attract domestic and international innovation talents, as well as encourage R&D headquarters and centers to establish in Hunan, accelerating the establishment of a national-level regional science and technology innovation center.
Promoting urban shared services. We will work together to remove barriers to public services, effectively addressing tangible needs in education, healthcare, and government services. We aim to accelerate the development of a metropolitan area where people enjoy living and working.
Sustaining and enhancing the value of the green heart. We will explore a new path for green transformation in highly urbanized areas, construct the Green Heart Central Park to high standards, and strive to create a national demonstration zone for green transformation development. Thank you.
