Shenyang plays key role in regional advancement

Months after being designated as a key international city in Northeast Asia by the State Council, Shenyang is reinventing itself through industrial and urban transformation, Mayor Lyu Zhicheng said in an interview with China Daily.

"Institutional innovation, technological breakthroughs and urban revitalization are the three pillars of Shenyang's transformation from a regional hub to a global player connecting domestic and international markets," said Lyu, who is also a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress.

Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning province and a longtime industrial powerhouse in northeastern China, is leveraging its manufacturing strengths, according to its mayor.

"Our advanced manufacturing sector contributes to more than 50 percent of industrial output, with automotive, robotics and integrated circuit equipment leading national innovation," Lyu said.

With an investment of 5.4 billion yuan ($740 million), the "Automotive Silicon Valley" in Shenyang's Tiexi district is driving technological advancement, as the 2.6-square-kilometer smart vehicle testing ground is incubating autonomous driving technologies. "This is not just about cars; it's about redefining the mode of transportation for an artificial intelligence era," Lyu said.

Shenyang's pilot free trade zone has emerged as a hub for institutional reform. The Single Window for International Trade, a one-stop system for services, has reduced the time taken for customs clearance by 30 percent, while last year, cross-border e-commerce grew 52.4 percent.

Government data shows the volume of cross-border e-commerce transactions in the pilot FTZ exceeded 8 million orders in 2024, with a 32.4 percent increase in trade with Russia. The cargo route between Shenyang and Vancouver, Canada, moved 43.5 metric tons of goods on its first flight last year, and Shenyang is expanding to 10 new air routes this year.

The city has also strengthened international partnerships, forming technology collaborations with Novosibirsk in Russia and Daejeon in South Korea.

More than 1,500 foreign-funded enterprises, including over 100 Fortune Global 500 companies, have set up shop in Shenyang, Lyu said. Despite Shenyang's GDP growth rate reaching 5.2 percent last year, challenges remain. Speaking on pressing ahead with the reform of State-owned enterprises, Lyu said, "We reduced their numbers from 587 to 160 since 2001, and it has made us leaner and more competitive."

An aging population has added urgency to talent recruitment. The city's "Talent 3.0" initiative offers 100 million yuan in grants to top teams and streamlines visa procedures for foreign experts. Partnerships with Northeastern University aim to create a high-end talent pool for emerging sectors such as AI and hydrogen energy.

Lyu envisions Shenyang as a regional hub for technology and trade. "From producing 10,000-ton machinery to shaping digital trade rules, we're becoming the 'operating system' for regional development," he said.

"Shenyang's revival isn't just economic; it's about creating a livable, globally connected city," Lyu said, adding, "When international talent chooses to stay, that's the ultimate validation of our strategy."

Contact the writers at yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn