Chamber Discusses EU-China Cooperation at Xiong’an New Area Visit
2018-06-22 | Beijing
On 22nd June 2018, Mats Harborn, president of the European Chamber, led a delegation to visit the Xiong’an New Area and meet with Chen Gang, deputy governor of the Hebei Provincial Government and head of the Xiong’an New Area Administrative Committee, along with other officials from the Hebei Provincial Government and the Xiong’an New Area Administrative Committee. This meeting commenced with the appreciation from Chen on Chamber’s significant role in promoting cooperation between China and Europe in the past decade. As emphasized by Chen, he encouraged the Chamber and its member companies to get involved in the planning, construction and development of Xiongan New Area more deeply and comprehensively, and to consider setting up a Chamber representative office in the New Area. Chen believed that the practices and approaches from Europe would be of good references to develop a high-quality and innovative Xiongan New Area, particularly in the sectors of green and eco-friendly development, intelligent technology and solution, and innovation.
Chamber President Mats Harborn agreed with the suggestions provided by Chen and seconded that it was in the interest of the Chamber and its member companies to participate in the process the planning, construction and management of Xiongan New Area through providing technologies and solutions, engaging in specific construction and engineering projects via public procurement and even direct investment. President Harborn further pointed out the fundamental impact of creating a level playing field and improved regulatory environment through presenting the European Chamber Position Paper 2017/2018 and the 2018 European Chamber Business Confidence Survey. More in-depth communication was followed among Chamber representatives and officials from the Hebei Provincial Government, including the discussion on urban mobility, interconnected vehicles, and advanced healthcare facilities and public services.
Guided by officials from the Xiongan New Area Administrative Committee and the Foreign Affairs Office of Hebei Provincial Government, the Chamber delegation visited, Millennium Forest, the site of forest planting projects undertaken by the China Xiongan Group, a state-owned enterprise established under Hebei Provincial Government. As introduced by a representative from China Xiongan Group, 70% of Xiongan New Area will be reserved as ecological conservation areas to ensure the green and sustainable development of Xiongan New Area. Subsequently, the Chamber delegation visited the first completed project at the Xiongan New Area –Xiongan Public Service Centre, consisting of an exhibition centre, a group of shared office buildings for enterprises, the Xiongan New Area Administrative Committee building and a governmental service centre for citizens.
This visit concluded with mutual understanding between the Chamber and the Hebei Provincial Government in good faith and the hope of more frequent dialogues and comprehensive cooperation on the planning and development of Xiongan New Area.