Great Charming Chan-Ba

“The north of China is miserable,”said Chinese poet Ai Qing. Why so: Water shortage is at the heart of this misery. We can even say that water decides the future of northern China. Now that the Chan-Ba Ecological District can develop by taking advantage of the enchanting environment there, the new problem to be solved is that, taking into consideration of the sustainable development of the Chan-Ba Ecological District, what industries should be developed there?

As an ecological compensation zone of the city, using the excellent development concepts of other cities at home and abroad for reference, theChan-Ba Ecological District is growing together with other zones of Xi’ an and accelerating the internationalization of Xi’ an by building infrastructure, expanding the city and by developing characteristic industries like finance,tourism，commerce and trade，exhibition，cultural education，etc.

The permanent site of the Euro-Asia Economic Forum，a grand and modern building standing among the green willows at the junction of the Chanhe River and Bahe River，and has become the landmark of Chan-Ba delta.Modern yet classic，this Forum Convention Center，with simultaneous interpreting equipment，a modern management system based on sound-light-electrical control and an impressive hotel better than a five-star hotel，delivers the unique charm of Xi’an to every visitor.

The Euro-Asia Economic Forum，held every two years here，is the driving force behind the internationalization of Chan-Ba.Besides，the permanent site of the Forum Convention Center would improve the regional development environment and stimulate the development of Chan-Ba.On one hand，the center would help to prosper the cities onthe Silk Road.On the other hand，it would attract better businesses and investments.Attracting investment is not only a vital stimulus to the economic and social development of a city or a region，but also a crucial way to make a region more open.

Attracting investment is not only an vital stimulus to the economic and social development of a city or a region，but also a crucial way to make a region more open.

Taking advantage of the concentraion of preferable industries in one location，ecological environment，convenient traffic and service management，the Chan-Ba Ecological District is making great progress in attracting investments.

The Chan-Ba Ecological District’s development relies on two impulses.One is the ecological environment represented by the International Horticultural Exposition，and the other is the modern service industry represented by Chan-Ba Financial Business District.”In April 2008，Xi’an city formulated the strategic target of“Building Chan-Ba Financial Business District and making Chan-Ba the most important financial center in the western region.”In January 2010，the Chan-Ba Financial Business District was officially renamed Xi’ an Financial Business District. As the name changed, the previous Chan-Ba Financial Business District now becomes a powerful impulse for the development of the Chan-Ba Ecological District.

“For the Chan-Ba Ecological District, the financial industry is the core industry and will be its most highlighted industrial feature.

Focusing on the making the city greener, promoting internationalization and industrialization, the Chan-Ba Ecological District will accelerate major infrastructure construction and industrial growth, and develop the modern service industry and high-technology industry,”said a leader of the Chan-Ba Management Committee. The Xi’ an Financial Business District, which will become the most important financial center in western China, plays a significant role in the development process of the Chan-Ba Ecological District.”Our company will establish four to five operating centers in China and the operating center in Xi’ an will be the first one to come into service.

We believe that the western region and Xi’ an has a promising future.”said Xinhua Insurance Company’s Chairman Kang Dian on May 28,2012, after his company’s call center successfully moved into the Xi’ an Financial Business District.

The case above is a typical case showing the success of the Xi’ an Financial Business District; there are more. The Xi’ an Financial BusinessDistrict, the largest financial project that Shanxi has ever undertaken, will be an important symbol of Xi’ an which would be an international metropolis.

By now, with a total investment of RMB 30 billion, over 60 financial institutions and commercial supporting projects have come into the Xi’ an Financial Business District, including headquarters of several financial institutions like Shanxi Insurance Regulatory Commission, ShanxiSecurities Regulatory Commission, Chang’ an Bank, Yong’ an Property Insurance Company, Xi’ an Bank, etc, and financial guarantee institutions like the global call center of the Bank of China.

The global call center of the Bank of China in Xi’ an Financial Business District has been successfully established and put into operation in 2013.

Now it has become the third largest call center of the Bank of China with two others in Shanghai and Beijing. This successful project shows the charm of Xi’ an Financial Business District which encourages other national financial institutions to move their call centers into Xi’ an Financial Business District too.

It is estimated by 2020, the Xi’ an Financial Business District, as the most important financial center supported by the government in Xi’ an City in Shanxi Province, would have attracted 100 to 130 financial institutions and 1000 business offices. In that case, the value-added byits financial industry would exceed RMB 15 billion, accounting for over 50% of the value addition from the financial industry in Xi’ an City and over 30% in Shanxi Province. This would be responsible for over 20% of the growth of the financial industry in Shanxi Province. Also, the value-addition by the industries related to the financial industry would have reached RMB 30 billion.

“I hope that the Xi’ an Financial Business District, when completed, will be as prosperous as the Shanghai Bund which boasts varied financial institutions”says Shanxi Governor Zhao Zhengyong when talking about the future of the Xi’ an Financial Business District.

To meet the needs of turning Xi’ an into an international metropolis and to provide financial services,a Chan-Ba International Business Center is to be established in the central business district of Chan-Ba delta, which would provide services like trade management for international trades. At the same time, modern pedestrian streets, high-end 4S industry parks and shopping centers are under construction.

With an excellent ecological environment, the modern service industryin Chan-Ba mainly focuses on tourism, entertainment and culture. These are high-tech, eco-friendly and pollution-free and can mature fast. With the completion of the International Horticultural Fair and the leisure/economic circle near the Guangyun Lake, Chan-Ba National Wetland Park, Bahe River tourism zone, Chanhe River landscape zone, ecological residential zone near Yanming Lake and the ecological park near Taohua Lake，the Chan-Ba Ecological District will become the core leisure zone of Xi’an.People in Chan-Ba are responsible for creating a culture brand in Chan-Ba themed”relax in an eco-friendly space”，focusing on ecological culture，innovation culture，leisure and international educational training.The cultural industry zone near Chanhe River and Bahe River，Xi’an Cultural Creative Industry Base，Shanxi Publishing Group Digital Publishing Base, CISV International Summer Camp, etc. are under construction.

“We chose to establish our digital publishing base in Chan-Ba, because we can enjoy the thoughtful, efficient and high-quality services and benefit from its preferential policies. Its ecological environment is enchanting.

With well-equipped infrastructure and internet devices, we can invitemore talent. The International Horticultural Fair makes Chan-Ba well-known which makes it easier for us to attract prominent businesses andinvestments.”said Chen Jianguo, chairman of the Shanxi Publishing Group Digital Publishing Base Development and Construction Co., Ltd.. We can see how charming Chan-Ba is from his description.

New projects accelerate the construction of new industries. Great projects are rapidly being setup in the Chan-Ba Ecological District, which stimulates the Ecological District’s economic construction.

The Chan-Ba Ecological District is among the first places that combine urban development with ecological progress, setting a successful example for simultaneously promoting the ecological civilization and the Scientific Outlook on Development. Now, Chan-Ba is more than a picturesque Ecological District.

In April 2007, approved by the State Council, Euro-Asia Economic Forum which is held every two years set its permanent site in Chan-Ba. By now, we have held four Euro-Asia Economic Forums successfully and the fifth one will be held this year.

In October 2007, the F1 Powerboat World Championships Grand Prix Was held in in Xi’ an. It is one of the four most popular international sports events and is considered as famous as the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup and F1 Racing. Eleven teams from at home and abroad participated in the competition and 120 thousand spectators watched the game. Through domestic and foreign mass media, the event was rebroadcast to over 200 countries around the world.

In 2011, the International Horticultural Fair, the largest one held since 1949, was held in Xi’ an from April to October. During the fair, Xi’ an accepted over 15720 thousand tourists, attracted 109 cities andinstitutions and held over 8600 shows. Thiswas the best International Horticultural Fair held in Xi’ an, which to a great extent stimulated local economic development and raised Xi’ an city’s GDP by 5 to 6 percent. The success of the 2011 International Horticultural Fair promoted the concept of environmental protection, showcased the profound Chinese culture, showed the world a civilized, open, inclusive and eco-friendly Xi’ an, and forged the spirit of an International Horticultural Fair.

In 2012, the Xi’ an World Expo Park was opened to the public for free. This is another great event after the International Horticultural Fair, attracting people’s attention to the Chan-Ba Ecological District again. According to regulations, the exhibition hall shall be pulled down after the fair, so many exhibition halls around the world had been rebuilt into schools, hospitals or residential buildings. Xi’ an International Horticultural Fair exhibition hall, however, was preserved and turned into a free World Expo park. This act is a great promotion of concept of environmental protection and ecological idea.

In July 2013, the part of the 2013 Tour of China amateur cycling races were held in Xi’ an at the World Expo Park. In December 2013, approved by the National Tourism Administration of The People’s Republic of China, the Xi’ an World Expo park became one of the first national ecological tourism demonstration zones.

The Xi’ an International Horticultural Fair integrates people with nature and Xi’ an city’s long history and modern innovation spirit. Through this channel,a new Xi’ an is showcased to the whole world as a profound, energetic, confident and progressive modern city.

In 2010, the Xi’ an Chan-Ba Ecological District, as a municipal district, was rated as the”2009-2010 Hot Convention Site”, together with Beijing, Hangghou, Xiamen and other cities.

On September 12,2011, the Xi’ an International Horticultural Exposition won the UN’s “Global Best Green Innovation Award”; the Chan-Ba Ecological District won the UN’s “Global Award for Successfully Rebuilt Green City”and Xi’ an city gained the UN’s “Global Award for Green City with Excellent Contribution.”

On October 11,2011,”2011 Xi’ an International Horticultural Exposition Preparation Project”won the “IPMA-International Project Management Award for Large Projects.”

On October 19,2011, the Chan-Ba Ecological District was elected as one of”2011China’s Brands of the Year”.

On November 1,2011, the Xi’ an International Horticultural

Exposition won the “2011 Asian Urban Landscape Award”jointly granted by UNHabitat, Asian Habitat Society, Fukuoka Asian Urban Research Center and the Asian Landscape Design Society.

On December 23,2011, the Xi’ an International Horticultural Exposition won the”Swiss Green Environmental Protection Award”in an award ceremony held in Montreux in Switzerland, and the multimedia show named Mayim Show presented by Xi’ an won the “International Awards for Multimedia Innovation and Operation Management.”On December 25,2013, Chan-Ba Ecological District won the title of “the most influential area”for being a driving force behind eco-friendly development.

All the international events held in and the honors gained by the Chan-Ba Ecological District has made it increasingly famous around the world. At the same time, the new appearance and innovative power of Xi’ an are presented to the whole world.

In future, to realize the general goal of building a national ecologicalcommunity, the Chan-Ba Ecological District will establish a new resource saving and eco-friendly urban ecological zone, which is well within environmental carrying capacity, observes laws of nature and tries toachieve sustainable development. Step by step,a healthy environmental system, an efficient industrial system,a pleasant residential system,a civilized social cultural system and an innovative institutional system will be established and the Chan-Ba Ecological District will become the pioneer in constructionof urban ecological communities and the new symbol of green communities in the western region.

“We will develop, protect, utilize and demonstrate the Chan-Ba Ecological District in an effective way. We will take into consideration both the benefits to the city and our people. We will stick to the developmentidea of integrating the city with nature. We will continue to promote theinternalization of Xi’ an, observe international standards and participate in the formulation of domestic standards. We will put the concept of ecological civilization into practice.”said Yang Liuqi in a confident and firm tone. Outside his office window, lies the wide Guangyun Pond veiled with dreamy mist.