Auto Valley achieves new high over past 10 years

Tremendous changes are taken place in the zone over the past 10 years. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]

The Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone has been accelerating efforts to develop the new energy vehicle (NEV) and intelligent connected vehicle (ICV) sectors since the holding of the 18th CPC National Congress, and has become the "Auto Valley of China".

Having steadfastly adhered to a new development philosophy featuring innovation, coordination, sustainability, openness and sharing, WEDZ has formed a new industrial system that includes automobiles and auto spare parts, electronics and electric appliances, food and beverages, and biomedicine, and is supported by NEV, new materials, smart manufacturing, general aviation, and modern services.

The zone's key economic indicators have continued to climb over the past decade. Last year, the regional GDP of WEDZ reached 186.13 billion yuan ($25.85 billion), 2.2 times more than that in 2012. At the same time, the zone's industrial output above a designated size, fixed asset investments, and total retail sales of consumer goods reached 323.1 billion yuan, 83.27 billion yuan, and 16.25 billion yuan, respectively, which are 1.5 times, 2.3 times, and 3.8 times that of 2012.

But there is more to WEDZ than industrial performance. Many interesting places, such as Luxun Bookstore & Art Gallery and Tanghu Lake Library, have been set up to make the zone a more livable and convenient place for people to work and live.