Chongqing, Chengdu to become new SEZs

Chongqing and Chengdu, two large cities in southwestern China, have been given the green light to become a new, twin-city special economic zone (SEZ), so as to beef up the overall economic development of the country.

In line with President Hu Jintao's call for building a harmonious society, the Chengdu-Chongqing SEZ will be empowered to further develop its urban and rural areas so as to ease the economic gap between the two areas.

Alongside with huge rural populations, the new twin-city SEZ would be the largest challenge to develop and maintain the economic harmony. To deal with new challenges, the government will take actions to create more business opportunities for the SEZ.

Over the past three decades, there are a number of SEZs designated for the above purpose, such as Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shantou and Pudong. Among them, Shenzhen and Pudong have made major achievements. Led by them, the Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta emerged as two powerful economic engines in the country.