Organized by the China Zhigong Party Central Committee, the "2014 China Development Forum - construction of the Yangtze River Economic Belt" was held in Chongqing Municipality on October 31.

Wan Gang, the Minister from the Ministry of Science and Technology and Huang Qifan, Mayor of Chongqing Municipality, attended the Forum.

Wan Gang delivered a keynote report in which he said that the construction and development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt would not only promote the harmonious development of the east, central and western regions along the banks of the Yangtze River, but would also drive the entire national economy.

He also said that as an important central city of the Yangtze River economic belt, Chongqing links the east and west regions. He hoped that Chongqing could give full play to its role as the western hub; speed up transformation and upgrading; integrate surrounding resources; and further deepen the inland opening-up.

Huang Qifan delivered a speech in which he said that in the future, Chongqing would take a more active role in the construction of the Yangtze River economic belt and play a greater role in the integration of trade, transport, finance, associated industries, and urban services.

The Forum has invited well-known experts and scholars, who discussed and brainstormed on the topic of construction of the Yangtze River Economic Belt from the leading edge of theoretical and practical perspectives.

Jiang Zuojun, and Yang Bangjie, Vice Chairmen of China Zhigong Party, and Chonqing officials attended the Forum.

By Huang Pei

Edited by Brian Salter