On July 10, Jiangsu FTZ Work Leading Group convened the second meeting to implement and put into practice a series of significant speeches and instructions about FTZ development by General Secretary Xi Jinping, to discuss and deliberate related documents and to study and plan the key tasks of Jiangsu FTZ in the coming period. Lou Qinjian, Secretary of CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and Primary Group Leader of Jiangsu FTZ Work Leading Group presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech. He highlighted that we must follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, firmly seize the duty and mission assigned by the State, unswervingly taking innovation as the most important part of development, make full use of pilot breakthroughs and exemplary demonstration, so as to infuse powerful impetus into the high quality development of the whole province. Wu Zhenglong, Governor of Jiangsu province and Group Leader of Jiangsu FTZ Work Leading Group attended the meeting.

The achievement of Jiangsu FTZ in the past year was positively recognized after the attendees listened to the report on the progress of Jiangsu FTZ development and the work of three subzones. It is agreed that Jiangsu FTZ has thoroughly implemented the decisions on reform and opening up of the CPC Central Committee and the working requirements of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee, stick to the target of being “top-ranking domestically, well-recognized internationally”, commenced the work under a higher standard, introduced a series of dedicated policies and institutional innovation and delivered a series of reform tasks to the ground. Jiangsu FTZ has witnessed upward growth in terms of FDI and trade amid headwinds. The development momentum and solid achievement are outstanding among the latest launched FTZs.

It is pointed out in the meeting that Jiangsu FTZ should focus on “creating new opportunities and opening up new prospects” by utilizing Jiangsu’s existing competitive edges of advanced real economy, complete industrial chain and thorough opening-up. Bold explorations should be made in coordinated systematic reforms, industrial upgrading, new innovation and talents pooling. Jiangsu FTZ should blaze new paths among changing circumstances and make new contributions to the national development. Firstly, to blaze a new exemplary path in utilizing high quality foreign investment and to serve as an effective indicator for securing foreign investment. Targeted investment promotion should be carried out by focusing on developed economic entities, Fortune 500 companies, medium-high end industrial and value chains and bringing in foreign-funded headquarters and functional institutions. Secondly, to blaze a new exemplary path in boosting high quality trade. International trade of steady growth and higher quality should be achieved by fostering new business mode, furthering trade facilitation, stimulating service trade innovation and ensuring the unfettered flow of trade by all means. Thirdly, to blaze a new exemplary path in improving and strengthening industrial chain and supply chain. Efforts will be made to better connect the innovation and value chain among industries, universities and research institutions, to invest on the lacking link within industrial chain and to mobilize domestic and global economic cycle.

It is stressed in the meeting that Jiangsu FTZ will stick to the target of being “top-ranking domestically, well-recognized internationally” and always put innovation as top priority. Innovation must be problem-oriented in that reform measures should arise from difficult problems affecting trade and investment facilitation. Innovation must be distinctive in that the high land of industrial development with international influence should be realized by relying on the existing industrial foundation and focusing on industrial trend. Innovation must be investor friendly in that a safe and reliable business environment offers quality service and delivers reassurance and confidence for greater development opportunities and potential to investors.

It is pointed out in the meeting that talents are the key in FTZ development. The opportunity of accelerated flow of talents should be seized to attract international high end talents, and thus more excellent resources and factors will be pooled. Jiangsu FTZ should speed up in introducing talents urgently pursued by market entities, especially personnel with management know-how and top experts and scholars who are familiar with international trade practice and capable of engaging in international dialogue. Jiangsu FTZ should deepen innovation in management system and mechanism to build a management team equipped with broad vision, latest concepts and strong innovative willingness.

It is highlighted in the meeting that government officials of all levels must take the initiative in FTZ and open economy studies and researches. It is with more open way of thinking, more advanced concept and stronger ability that can Jiangsu realize more achievement.

Executive Vice Governor Fan Jinlong, Secretary General of the Provincial Party Committee Guo Yuanqiang, Vice Governor Hui Jianlin, members of Jiangsu FTZ Work Leading Group and officials in charge of relevant departments attended the meeting.