Strong results recorded despite challenges

Novel coronavirus outbreak in 2020 fails to stop development zone's gains

Despite all the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone made impressive achievements last year, as evidenced by a series of record highs in measures such as comprehensive strength, investment attraction, scientific outcomes, technological progress and the happiness index of local people.

On Jan 26, the zone announced at an economic meeting it is to reward companies and entrepreneurs with more than 30 million yuan ($4.65 million) for their outstanding contributions made in 2020. Organizations and individuals that performed well also received honorary titles.

The initiative aimed to further stimulate the vitality and creativity of market players and encourage them to strive for more breakthroughs in the future, according to the zone's authority.

Weifang Special Steel Group was one of the companies to receive the reward. Over the past five years, the company has focused on the research and development of its key series of steel wire and rod products, which have been used in many rail lines nationwide. The products have also been exported to countries under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

"This year, we will provide new impetus to economic growth in the traditional steel industry by pouring more resources into high value-added projects such as high-quality welding wires and steel wire and rods," said Yu Guangfu, president and general manager of the steel group.

The industrial output value of the company is expected to surpass 20 billion yuan by the end of this year, Yu added.

With great endeavors made in tackling challenges in recent years, the high-tech zone has not only fulfilled its goals set for the 13th Five-year Plan period (2016-20), but also created a new development pattern featuring higher quality, more vitality and more sustainable growth.

The zone has become a pacesetter for high-quality development in Weifang, Shandong province, and has contributed 10 percent of Weifang's GDP and one-seventh of the city's total tax revenue over the past five years.

It has also served as a pioneer of reform and innovation, twice winning first prize at the State Scientific and Technological Progress Awards.

The zone has implemented 376 construction projects aimed at self-improvement, and its public green space has expanded to 8.35 million square meters, with its per capita green area ranking top in Weifang.

At the meeting held in January, the high-tech zone set new goals and issued development plans designed both for this year and the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).

Considering that the next five years is crucial to promoting high-quality development, the zone will pay special attention to the development of high-tech businesses, insist on innovation-driven growth and highlight the promotion of high-end industries, ecological innovation, intelligent facilities and modern governance.

Double-digit growth in major economic indicators over the next five years is another goal, local officials said.

As for this year, which marks the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan, the zone has seven major missions involving such sectors as industrial development, scientific innovation, the modernization of social governance and the improvement to social welfare.

By the end of 2021, the zone's GDP is expected to register a considerable rise from 2020, and local officials said they hope to witness double-digit rises in value-added industrial output, industrial output value above designated size, fixed-asset investment and foreign trade volume.

"The high-tech zone, which centers on boosting advanced technologies and providing better services, gives us a lot of confidence and inspiration," said Liu Jinlong, general manager of Shandong Best Care, a biological technology company located in the zone.

His opinion was echoed by Yu Bin, general manager of Shandong Yinlun Heat Exchange System, a company specializing in refrigeration and emissions technology.

Yinlun aims to become a world-class enterprise providing efficient heat exchange solutions and related products, according to the company.

"We plan to generate 3 billion yuan in annual industrial output value by 2025," Yu said. "I believe we can meet this goal, because the zone provides fertile ground for companies to achieve fast growth－it boasts attractive policies, regional strength, a solid industrial foundation and a healthy business environment."

haonan@chinadaily.com.cn