Liangjiang New Area pays attention to ecology

Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area features a distinctive green area. The district has spent five years transforming itself from a village into an important industrial region whose annual GDP has exceeded 180 billion yuan ($29 billion).

As the first national new district in the inland China, the district has earmarked 650 square kilometers out of a total area of 1,200 square kilometers for ecological development and protection over the past five years. The total green coverage of the area is expected to surpass 45 percent by the end of this year.

Authorities in charge of the area have given priority to ecology and insist on preventing pollution, even if it means sacrificing profits. An area of 153 hectares, which includes Longwan Park, was previously a hot investment target for many real estate developers. However, instead of cashing in on the lucrative land, authorities decided a public park, with officials from the Liangjiang construction management bureau citing "long-term interests".

The district frowns upon industries that exercise excessive capacity or have a negative environment impact. It has focused on auto, electronics and equipment industries, which produced a combined output of 343.4 billion yuan last year, accounting for more than 80 percent of all industrial sectors. Strategic emerging industries, including new energy vehicles, cloud computing, the "Internet of Things" and shale gas have undergone rapid development in the area. The district also pays attention to quality modern services. A total of 12 service projects were signed on June 10, involving an investment of 17.5 billion yuan.

The past five years have seen Liangjiang develop into an ideal investment location and a place to enjoy life.

Edited by Jacob Hooson