2019: A promising year for Changsha

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and it's also a crucial year to build a moderately well-off society in an all-round way. Faced with both challenges and opportunities, Hu Zhongxiong, mayor of Changsha outlined the roadmap for economic and social development in 2019 during his presentation of a work report during the fourth meeting of the 15th Changsha People's Congress. 

Although the city has been experiencing slow investment growth with a need to upgrade its consumption structure, the industrial chains and open economy of Changsha are still growing at a fast pace, while its business environment and the foundation for high-quality development continue to be improved this year. 

The local government will continue to endeavor to promote the upgrading of its industries, push forward with reform and opening-up, and ramp up efforts to improve the ecological environment.

The city is aiming for an 8 percent increase of its GDP in 2019. Its fixed-asset investment and total retail sales of consumer goods are set to grow by 10 percent. Changsha will continue to increase investment in its scientific research and development, and the research and development expenditure is set to account for more than 2.8 percent of the GDP. The investment of industrial projects and manufacturing industries, including high-tech service industries, is expected to make up 45 percent and 35 percent of the total fixed-asset investment. 

The Blue Sky Protection campaign achieves initial success and Changsha had 278 days of fairly good air quality last year, 16 days more than that in 2017. [Photo/hn.rednet.cn]