In the second half of this year, Beijing will press ahead with institutional innovation in the “two zones”, accelerating high-standard reform and opening-up, facilitating the launch of more landmark foreign-funded projects, and building China-Germany and China-Japan industrial parks.
On the 27th, the Fourth Session of the 16th Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People’s Congress heard and deliberated on the report of Beijing Municipality on the implementation of national economic and social development plan for the first half of 2023.
During the first half of this year, Beijing’s economy and society fully recovered to normalcy, with solid progress in high-quality development. The city’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 5.5% year-on-year, on par with the national average and 2.4 percentage points higher than that of the first quarter. Revenue in general public budget increased by 12.9% year-on-year, and the per capita disposable income of Beijing residents rose by 5% year-on-year.
The number of newly-established technology enterprises increased by 28.52% year-on-year in H1
Beijing is expediting the construction of the National Center for Science and Technology Innovation, with its self-reliance in science and technology strengthened. It has implemented 24 pilot reform measures in Zhongguancun and launched more than 50 supporting policies. In addition, the pilot financial reform zone for scientific and technological innovation in Zhongguancun has received approval. In the first half of this year, Beijing witnessed the establishment of 63,200 new technology enterprises, representing a year-on-year increase of 28.52% .
The volume of contracted technology transactions from Beijing to Tianjin and Hebei reached 19.67 billion yuan in H1
During the first half of the year, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development continued to deepen with the high-quality regional coordination steadily improved and functions non-essential to Beijing’s status as the capital relocated. Three cultural landmarks (a theatre, a library, and a museum) in Beijing Municipal Administrative Center have unveiled their facades. The western tunnel of the East Sixth Ring Road has been successfully drilled through. Beijing is accelerating efforts to build China Beijing Green Exchange into a national-level green exchange. Faster progress has been made in building a modern national capital region with a cluster of cities, with further integration of the regional transportation network. The volume of contracted technology transactions from Beijing to Tianjin and Hebei reached 19.67 billion yuan.
H2 will witness the promotion of the second batch of projects attracting private capital participation
In the second half of the year, Beijing will vigorously implement the strategy of expanding domestic demand, to enhance economic development momentum. It is necessary to expedite the consumption recovery and expansion, promote the high-quality upgrading of commercial areas, and add convenient commercial outlets wherever and whenever necessary. The city will support the development of consumption of services, including cultural tourism, sports, and leisure, and issue and implement policies and measures that promote the high-quality development of the convention and exhibition industry.
Efforts will be made to expedite the launching of reserved projects and complete promotion of the second batch of projects attracting private capital participation. The focus will be on expanding private investment in key industries such as manufacturing, information services, and science and technology services. Initiatives will also be undertaken to promote the application and issuance of infrastructure REITs for mature projects.
The H2 will see more landmark foreign-funded projects launched
In the second half of the year, Beijing will continue to drive the “Two Zones” institutional innovation to fruition and speed up its leading high-standard reform and opening-up. High-quality services will be provided for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF). In addition, the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) and Financial Street Forum will be hosted with high standards. Beijing will accelerate the introduction of the 2.0 version plan for developing a national integrated demonstration zone for greater openness in the services sector, and enable an ongoing update of the new checklist for “two zones” development. A special action plan will also be implemented to enhance key areas (precincts). Efforts will be made to promote the launch of more landmark foreign-funded projects and advance the development of China-Germany and China-Japan industrial parks. The city is committed to creating a more favorable business environment that provides enterprises with a stronger sense of gain.
(Reporter: Chen Hang)
