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Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Mr. Mao Weiming, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Hunan Provincial Committee and governor of Hunan province

Ms. Zhang Yingchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee and executive vice governor of Hunan province

Mr. Chen Xianchun, deputy secretary-general of the Hunan provincial government

Mr. Huang Donghong, director of the Development and Reform Commission of Hunan province

Chairperson:

Mr. Chen Wenjun, director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

May 10, 2024

Chen Wenjun:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning! Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). Today, we are holding the 16th press conference in the series "Promoting High-Quality Development." We have invited Mr. Mao Weiming, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Hunan Provincial Committee and governor of Hunan province, to introduce Hunan's efforts in pursuing high-quality development and striving to lead in the rise of central China and the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and to answer your questions. Also present today are Ms. Zhang Yingchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee and executive vice governor of Hunan province; Mr. Chen Xianchun, deputy secretary-general of the Hunan provincial government; and Mr. Huang Donghong, director of the Development and Reform Commission of Hunan province.

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Mao for his introduction.

Mao Weiming:

Ladies and gentlemen, media friends, good morning! It's a pleasure to meet you all. First, on behalf of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee and Hunan provincial government, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone for your long-term care and support for Hunan's high-quality development!

When it comes to Hunan, everyone should be quite familiar. Hunan is located in central China, in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. It is named Hunan because it is situated south of Dongting Lake, one of China's famous large lakes. Additionally, Hunan's mother river is the Xiangjiang River, which is why Hunan is also referred to as "Xiang." Historically, Hunan has had a tradition of planting hibiscus. Besides extensive planting of hibiscus, there is also a tradition of planting lotus, which is dubbed water hibiscus in Chinese, earning it the beautiful nickname "Land of Hibiscus." When people think of the "Land of Hibiscus," they naturally think of Hunan.

General Secretary Xi Jinping places great importance on the development of Hunan. At every critical moment and significant juncture, General Secretary Xi Jinping has visited Hunan to provide guidance and direction for its development. Especially in March this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Hunan for the fourth time and urged us to continue our efforts in building the province into an advanced manufacturing hub, a sci-tech and innovation center with core competitiveness, and a pacesetter for reform and the opening up of inland regions. We deeply feel that this not only reflects the general secretary's guidance for Hunan's development but also recognizes Hunan's high-quality development achievements. Hunan now has the foundation and conditions to reach new heights and strive for new victories.

From a temporal perspective, Hunan has reached a new historical starting point. The land of Huxiang is brimming with vibrant innovation and creation, and the landscape is filled with scenes of continuous progress and advancement.

First, Hunan is undergoing a transformative leap forward. The province's GDP grew from 2 trillion yuan in 2012 to over 5 trillion yuan last year, reaching 5.013 trillion yuan and marking four consecutive leaps. This growth is not merely quantitative; it is balanced and coordinated in terms of speed, structure, quality, and efficiency. It meets the requirements of the Five Concepts for Development and represents a transformational upgrade with improved quality and efficiency.

Second, Hunan is generating tremendous innovative momentum. The total output of high-tech industries in the province has surpassed 1 trillion yuan, while the number of tech firms has already exceeded 10,000 and is growing rapidly. In recent years, the number of high-tech companies has increased by more than 2,000 annually. The turnover of technology contracts has risen by 75%, and the contribution rate of scientific and technological progress has exceeded 60%.

Third, Hunan is rapidly opening up to the world. Our economic and trade network now spans 235 countries and regions. Additionally, 211 projects and enterprises from the world's top 500 companies have established themselves in Hunan, and our total import and export volume has surpassed the $110 billion mark.

Fourth, Hunan is showcasing its natural beauty. The province's green development index ranks among the top 10 nationwide, with water quality at nationally monitored sites and the number of days with excellent air quality ranking first and second in the central region, respectively.

Fifth, Hunan is enhancing the quality of life for its residents. The income of urban and rural residents continues to outpace economic development, and standards for pensions, medical care, urban and rural subsistence allowances, and public health subsidies have steadily increased.