China’s western cities need to seize the opportunities offered by urbanization and industrialization, build up more city complexes and improve the environment, said Long Yongtu, former secretary-general of the Boao Forum for Asia, during the First City Forum of Lanzhou on November 24.

Long first conducted an analysis of China’s current economic situation, which is, namely, the slowing down of economic growth, the acceleration of economic transformation and the initiation of comprehensive reform. He pointed out that the government proactively slowed down economic growth so as to resolve problems in development and provide room for reform. The acceleration of economic transformation shows that the government has put more emphasis on improving people’s livelihoods. He personally held that the real economy forms the solid basis for economic transformation. The initiation of comprehensive reform shows the market will play a more vital role in the resource distribution process.

The cities in western China need to seize opportunities offered by urbanization to create more job opportunities and provide high-quality infrastructure for migrant workers and urban citizens, Long said. The high-level industrialization needs to create a soft environment for talent, he added. With urban development and increase of people’s incomes, more high-level city complexes can be constructed to meet people’s shopping and entertainment needs, Long emphasized. He finally stressed that clear skies, clean water and safe food should be taken into consideration when construction projects are launched.

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