An Open Henan is Accelerating Its Integration into the World

An Open Henan is Accelerating Its Integration into the World

开放的河南正加速融入世界

 

The Central Plains in March is full of freshness and greenness.

3月的中原，春意盎然。

On March 14, the Seminar on International Cooperation Project under the Belt and Road Initiative, supported by the Department of International Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and hosted by the Belt and Road Initiative Center of the National Development and Reform Commission, kicked off in Zhengzhou.

3月14日，一场由外交部国际经济司支持，国家发展改革委“一带一路”建设促进中心主办的“一带一路”国际合作典型项目研讨会在郑州开幕。

This seminar held prior to the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was highly valued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Development and Reform Commission. Zhou Xiaofei, deputy secretary-general of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, announced the establishment of the Belt and Road Initiative Center of the National Development and Reform Commission as a special support department to promote the construction of the “Belt and Road” at the First Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. As the first show of the center, this seminar held in Henan province, the “granary of China”, is of special significance.

此次研讨会在第二届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛前夕召开，受到了外交部、国家发展改革委的高度重视。国家发展改革委副秘书长周晓飞说，习近平主席在首届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛上，宣布成立国家发展改革委“一带一路”建设促进中心，作为推进“一带一路”建设工作的专门支撑单位。此次研讨会作为该中心的首秀，选择在“中国粮仓”的河南举办，具有特殊重要意义。

Taking construction of the transportation hub as the starting point, the establishment of the International Aviation Logistics Center as the focus and the development of  Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone as the platform for opening-up, Henan Provincial People’s Government has taken the most advantage of the transportation and geographical location, opened the “Aerial Silk Road”, developed the “Online Silk Road” and the “Land Silk Road”, connected the “Maritime Silk Road”, integrated into the “Belt and Road” construction, and finally formed a new pattern of opening-up featuring “four-road coordination” and explored a new path for the development of the inland open economy.

究其根源，河南省委省政府积极探索，在河南的交通区位优势上做文章，以推进交通枢纽建设为切入点，以打造国际航空物流中心为突破口，以郑州航空港经济综合实验区为开放平台，打通了“空中丝绸之路”，带动了“网上丝绸之路”“陆上丝绸之路”，对接了“海上丝绸之路”，融入了国家“一带一路”建设，形成了四路协同并进的开放格局，走出了一条内陆地区开放型经济发展的新路子。

The hinterland of the Central Plains, which was once isolated from borders, seas and rivers, has now developed into a pioneer in all ways of transportation with the opening of the international logistics channel.

曾经不沿边、不靠海、不临江的中原腹地，变成了连天接地、陆海相通的开放前沿，打通了国际物流大通道。

Today, the door of Henan province is opening wider and wider, creating many opportunities for the development of inland open economy. In 2018, Henan’s imports and exports to the countries along the “Belt and Road” route increased by 23 percent, while the actual attraction of the investment from those countries increased by 24.5 percent.

河南开放的大门越开越大，为打造内陆开放高地拓展了广阔空间。2018年，河南对“一带一路”沿线国家进出口增长23%，实际吸收沿线国家投资增长24.5%。

The seminar set up 5 topics for discussion, including infrastructure connectivity, industrial cooperation, park construction, people’s livelihood and the “Aerial Silk Road” between Zhengzhou and Europe. Representatives from more than 20 Chinese and foreign project units, owner units, third-party cooperative enterprises, and domestic and foreign financial institutions discussed 10 typical international cooperation projects, among which, the “Aerial Silk Road” between Zhengzhou and Luxembourg was undoubtedly the focusing topic. “This project can be seen as a model for inland regions to participate in the ‘Belt and Road’ construction.” Wang Yangkun, deputy director of the Transportation Technology Center of the Comprehensive Transportation Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission, commented on the project.

研讨会上设立了基础设施互联互通、产业合作、园区建设、民生、中欧空中丝绸之路5个研讨单元，参与项目实施的20多个中外方项目单位、业主单位、第三方合作企业、国内外金融机构等代表围绕10个国际合作典型项目进行研讨，其中“郑州—卢森堡‘空中丝绸之路’”项目无疑是全场的焦点之一。“该项目可以说是内陆地区参与‘一带一路’建设的样板工程。”国家发展改革委综合运输研究所交通技术中心副主任王杨堃点评项目时说。

The smooth roads lead to the prosperous industries, while the prosperous industries drive the regional development. According to the National Immigration Bureau, the number of temporary visitors to Henan province increased by more than 80 percent in 2018, 13 times the national average, among which, the number of people coming to Henan for trade and business increased by two times.

道路通则百业兴，百业兴则区域强。据国家移民局统计，2018年临时来河南人数增长超80%，是全国平均增幅的13倍，其中来豫贸易经商人数增长了2倍。

He Jinping, vice governor of Henan Province, remarked in the welcome speech, “Long distance never separates bosom friends.” The ancient Silk Road has shown new vitality, and the “Belt and Road” international cooperation also enjoys bright prospects and great potentials. We sincerely invite all guests and friends to pay more visits in Henan province to enjoy the profound heritage of the ancient Henan and the vitality of the modern Henan.

副省长何金平在致辞中向与会嘉宾发出热情邀请：“海内存知己，天涯若比邻”，古老的丝绸之路已焕发出新的勃勃生机，“一带一路”国际合作前景光明、大有可为。诚挚邀请各位嘉宾、各位朋友在河南多走走、多看看，亲身感受古老河南的深厚底蕴和现代河南的生机活力。（记者栾姗 编译赵汉青 审校焦丹）