A press conference on the economic and social development of Fangchenggang is held in Guangxi on June 21. [Photo/gx.chinanews.com]

On June 21, a press conference to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was held in Fangchenggang, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, highlighting the economic and social development of the city over the years, as well as setting out plans and objectives for the future.

Fangchenggang is located at the intersection of the southwestern China's mainland and the coastline, both along the coast and along the border. It is the only city in China that is connected to the ASEAN countries by sea, land, and river.

With a coastline of 580 kilometers, a golden beach stretching a hundred miles, and a sea area of more than 10,000 square kilometers, Fangchenggang possesses three islands, three bays, and the only mangrove international demonstration zone in China. The city has a 230 kilometer land border and is divided into five first-class ports, five border trade posts, and five national-level development open platforms. The mountains extend for 100 miles from the east to the west, and are about 40 kilometers wide from north to south. It boasts a national nature reserve and the only national-level golden camellia nature reserve in the world.

Li Yanqiang, Party secretary of Fangchenggang, speaks at the press conference. [Photo/gx.chinanews.com]

Ban Zhongbai, mayor of Fangchenggang, gave an introduction of the economic and social development of Fangchenggang since the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, especially since the establishment of Fangchenggang 26 years ago.

According to Ban, the city's economy has developed rapidly, and its comprehensive strengths have spurred rapid development. It has transformed from a small fishing village into an important node city of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.

In 2018, the city's regional GDP increased by more than 40 times compared with 1993, with an average annualized growth rate of 13.5 percent. The fiscal revenue has increased 30 times compared with 1993. The per capita GDP grew at an average annualized rate of 12.4 percent. In 2014, its per capita GDP took the lead in Guangxi to exceed $10,000.

Ban Zhongbai, mayor of Fangchenggang, introduces the economic development of the city at the press conference. [Photo/gx.chinanews.com]

Li Yanqiang, Party secretary of Fangchenggang, presented the future development focus and trends of the city. Fangchenggang will accelerate the application of the National Opening-up Pilot Zone for Medicine and strive to build the city into a new center for international medical cooperation. It will accelerate the promotion of major projects and promote the formation of a trillion-level metallurgical industry cluster.

The city will increase the construction of national-level open platforms such as the China-Vietnam cross-border economic cooperation zone and the bonded logistics center. It will push forward the construction of the national border tourism pilot zone, such as the China-Vietnam tourism industry integration development practice zone and the China-ASEAN tourism cooperation pioneer zone. It will also put efforts in developing railways, waterways, and airports to build the city into becoming an important gateway for the Land-Sea Trade Corridor.

In addition, the leaders also answered questions at the press conference regarding issues such as the establishment of the international medical opening pilot zone, ecological protection and development, promotion of major projects, as well as the construction of the national border tourism pilot zone.